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All hopes now rest on the hands of PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth who will be competing later today
For those wondering why Saina is knocked out, the rule is simple: The players had to win both their respective group matches in order to progress. Ulitin had beaten Lohaynny Vicente, the other member in this group, in straight games 21-13 21-13. And by defeating Saina today she has progressed through to the Round of 16, while Saina has been eliminated.
Let's hope that the Indian recovers quickly and comes back as a much stronger player soon.
Who would have thought this would transpire at the start of the Olympics. One of the biggest contenders for a medal, unable to reach event the Round of 16.
Credit to Ulitina, she kept the pressure on the Indian at all points and ensured that she never ran away with the game at any point.
Okay. Trying to get my breath back, as I type. We have seen one of the biggest upsets in Rio 2016, with the World number 61 vanquishing the World number 5 and 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist Saina in straight games.
Saina is KNOCKED OUT OF RIO 2016. Massive upset.
Nervous faces in the crowd
Match point for Ulitina with that superb cross court hit
What an error from Ulitina! Service error makes it 19-19
Fine jump smash from Ulitina! She is two points away from knocking Saina out
What a lovely smash game from Ulitina.
Poor judgment from the Indian! 18-17 in favour of Ulitina
This is now crunch moment.
The match is on a knife's edge at the moment.
Attack all the way from Ulitina, she is back on level terms. 17-17
A drive from Ulitina makes it 17-17
On the line. That's superb play from Saina. Fine rally ends with a good hit that lands straight on the other end. 17-15.
Fast smash from Saina. Ulitina unable to return and 16-15 in favour of the Indian.
Good net play from Saina. Back in the lead 15-14
The crowd is vociferously backing Saina
What a cross court smash from Ulitina, Saina had no answers to it. 14-13
What a hit from Ulitina!
Saina gets one point back. 13-13
Nervy moments indeed for the Indian, this is not going according to plan. Ulitina leads 13-12
Some anxious faces in the crowd as Saina battles her way in the second game
Vimal Kumar is watching the proceedings from the sidelines.
Perfect judgement from Ulitina, watches it land wide. 12-11
Good smash by Saina, right on the body. 12-10
At the interval in the second game, Saina Nehwal leads by 11-10.
Ulitina tries to smash it back, but finds the net instead.
Saina is pumped up as Ulitina makes that unforced error! 10-10
These aren't the kind of errors that one usually associates with Saina
Ultina had lost the balance, but Saina squanders the position to score another point.
Saina requires more of that.
Much better from Saina, boshes a smash down the line. 9-9
Well wide from Saina. This is not looking very promising.
Saina unable to return that long hit from Ulitina! 8-7
Lovely net play from Ulitina and then lobs one behind, too good for Saina
Another smash into the net. Saina cannot build some momentum. 7-7
Nervy,nervy stuff this!
Superb jump match from Ulitina! 6-5
Ulitina jumps up, and then smokes that smash. Brilliant
What a superb underarm winner from Ulitina! She leads 5-4
Ulitina displaying very good skills there, and catching Saina off-guard.
Back on level terms, Ulitina brought that one down. 4-4
Unusual from the Indian!
An unforced error from Saina! 4-3
Bad judgement from the Indian! That was in! 4-2
Saina leads 4-1
