Saina wins bronze as injured World No. 2 pulls out of playoff

For Saina Nehwal, the London Games have been nothing less than one seemingly endless series of games, many wins, several losses, a playoff that lasted 26 minutes on the court and finally a bronze medal.

Chinese Wang Xin, World No. 2, folded up with a dodgy knee after leading 21-18, 1-0, and just like that, India had its first medal in badminton, as Nehwal became the second Indian woman after K Malleswari to get on the Olympic podium.

Except, it wasn't just like that. Even the right to turn up against the Chinese needs to be earned. Nehwal was on the threshold of entering the zone from where she might have dominated this bronze playoff, getting her tiring opponent to play long rallies, even as she stumbled, slipped and asked for water breaks.

Perhaps it was an old injury that had flared up. Perhaps Nehwal had done well to keep her own fitness up and come this far even as her rival twice went down on her knees, doubling up in a grimace. "Maybe I was lucky, maybe this medal was written for me," she said, not mulling too long over how the victory had come. "I've worked hard for this," she added.

"I've always told her she can go on till 2020, that's two more shots at the gold medal," said coach P Gopichand.

ALSO READ

2 yrs after daughter was raped, killed in Sydney, family awaits justice

GQ's bridge too far: Only 110 m left for highway project

Imran Khan falls 15 feet from forklift, suffers head injury

Deadlock on, Sonia reaches out to Sushma