New Delhi: Indian shuttle queen Saina Nehwal became the world number one even before she took the court for the semifinals after her closest competitor Carolina Marin of Spain lost in the other last four match against Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon. Also Saina reached her maiden women's singles final of the India Open today by defeating unseeded Japanese Yui Hashimoto 21-15, 21-11 in only 44 minutes at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here.
The win, and the loss of Spain's Carolina Marin in the semi-final, assured the Hyderabadi of the No.1 spot when the Badminton World Federation (BWF) releases its revised rankings on Thursday.
"It is a dream come true. I can't even believe that I have become the world number one. I guess till the time I see my name there myself I won't be able to believe it. It has been a long journey," Saina said.