Indonesia Masters: Saina Nehwal wins title after Carolina Marin retires hurt

Former world number one Saina Nehwal lifted the Indonesia Masters title as her Spanish opponent Carolina Marin retired hurt during the first game of the summit showdown here on Sunday.

Carolina injured her right foot after a hard landing and, despite trying hard, she could not continue playing. Eventually, she decided to pull out of the match.

Saina did not make the best of the starts in the final match as her three-time world champion opponent raced ahead with a four-point lead in the first game. Carolina further consolidated her lead over the Indian shuttler as she was now leading the game 9-2.

With the first game scoreline reading 4-10 in Carolina's favour, the match was brought to a forced end.

This is Saina's first-ever Indonesia masters title.

Nehwal had defeated China's He Bingjiao on Saturday to enter the finals of the USD 350,000 Indonesia Masters. The 28-year-old from Hyderabad, who had reached the finals at the last edition, notched up a come-from-behind 18-21 21-12 21-18 triumph over sixth seed Bingjiao, who had won a bronze medal at the World Championship last year.

Marin, three-time World Champion and reigning Olympic champion, had bested China's Chen Yufei to set up the final clash with Nehwal. 

In men's singles event, Danish badminton player Anders Antonsen defeated Kento Momota of Japan 21-16, 14-21, 21-16 in the final match to win the Indonesia Masters trophy.