Saina becomes World No. 1

While the official rankings will be out on Thursday, reigning champion Carolina Marin's India Open semifinal loss on Saturday made Saina Nehwal the first Indian woman to reach the top spot.

Saina Nehwal, who became World no. 1 after Carolina Marin lost her India Open semifinal on Saturday, plays a forehand smash at the Siri Fort Sports Complex in New Delhi on Friday.

Saina Nehwal has what it takes to be World No. 1. She is taking over the top spot from Olympic gold medallist Li Xuerui.

Officially, Saina will hold the coveted spot from April 3.

With Li Xuerui — at the top for 119 weeks since December 20, 2012 — choosing not to defend the points earned in reaching the final of the Indian Open last year for being fully fit to defend her Malaysia Open title next week, the ranking points earned by Saina in reaching the final of the Indian Open here on Saturday were enough to overtake the Chinese.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted:

The phenomenal accomplishments of >@NSaina make us very proud. I congratulate her on being the World Number 1.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) >March 28, 2015

Published - March 28, 2015 05:30 pm IST