Saina ousted from French Open quarters

The Indian challenge came to an end at the $275,000 French Open Super Series when the country's top shuttler Saina Nehwal lost her women's singles quarterfinal to Shixian Wang of China here.

The Olympic bronze medallist fought well in the marathon match which lasted an hour and 10 minutes but eventually went down 19-21, 21-19, 15-21 to the second seeded Chinese at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin late Friday. With the win, Shixian levelled her career record to 5-all against Saina, reports Xinhua.

Chinese shuttlers have occupied three out of the four available semi-final positions in women's singles.

Olympic champion Li Xuerui and former World Champion Wang Yihan both claimed straight-game victories in quarter-finals. While the World No.1 breezed past Ireland's Chloe Magee 21-19, 21-13, third-ranked Yihan beat Zhang Beiwen of the United States 23-21, 21-14.

Having taken all her matches in straight games, Yihan, however, was not satisfied with her performance.

"I need to do some adjusting with my skills as well as my physical and mental status. With an intensive schedule in the last three months, my teammates and I are so tired and tried very hard to get ourselves up together," said the newly crowned Asian Games champion.

In Saturday's semi-finals, Li will play against Thailand's former World Champion Ratchanok Intanon, who defeated Japanese Akane Yamaguchi, while the Wangs form a Chinese derby in vying for a spot in the final.