Twitter lauds Saina Nehwal for gritty display in semi-final loss to Tai Tzu Ying at Badminton Asia Championships 2018

Nehwal bowed out 25-27, 19-21 to settle for the bronze medal. She had four game points in Game 1.

More than the wins against Sindhu, this match against Tai Tzu Ying today (for me) is the definitive proof that Saina is playing the best she has in a long time. Far too often she lost to TTY without a fight in the recent past, today was completely different. Brilliant fight.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) April 28, 2018

@NSaina is back... The way you played todat was superbb with more knee strengthening and more fitness she will Definitely beat Tai soon... Come on Saina... No need to be Sad you played extremely well... Draw inspiration from this match... God bless you.. Congrats for Bronze 👍😊
— Saswatkumar09 (@saswatkumar09) April 28, 2018

One of the best matches in female badminton in the recent times. @NSaina played superb badminton but credit goes to #tai_tzu_ying for holding her nerve. Absolute class, both of them..!
— srinath (@srinath245) April 28, 2018

Forget about the result dear. The way you fought today is really unbelievable. One word...My vintage Saina is back. Looking forward to word Championships now. @NSaina pic.twitter.com/gGZPy91ikW
— Jyothirmayi K (@urstrulyjoe) April 28, 2018

What grit! what determination! Many had written her off after her knee injury. Her single minded focus on her career, even swallowed her pride and went back to Hyderabad. Her hard work and perseverance is amazing. What a role model! May she play for another 10 years.
— Guru Ghantal (@guru__ghantaal) April 28, 2018

@NSaina well done! You seem fitter, faster and hungrier than I remember you to be in recent times. That big result is just around the corner! https://t.co/YvVn1zSLeL
— Arun Cavale (@aruncavale) April 28, 2018

She gave her best @NHarvir It's a matter of time. Congratulations on a podium finish. @NSaina is on a roll once again!#IndiaontheRise #BestofBadminton #BAC2018 https://t.co/85hgE28uBH
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) April 28, 2018

That was unfortunate...@NSaina can still be really proud of herself. She fought like a warrior, against her biggest nemesis and the best player on the planet right now, but just cudn't close it out. Congrats to Tai Tzu Ying..
— Kapil Choudhary (@kapil857) April 28, 2018

Tough luck @NSaina after a such great fight. You played with lot of grit and determination. My Saina is really back now. We all are proud of you. All the best Champ 🙌🥉🏸🇮🇳#BAC2018 pic.twitter.com/MwTU1gB52X
— Jyothirmayi K (@urstrulyjoe) April 28, 2018

Tai wins 27-25 and 21-19 but if there was any match where both players played their heart out this was one. Like the Sindhu world championship final against Okuhara. Well played @NSaina best i have seen you play this year.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) April 28, 2018

Tai takes the first game 27-25. What a game that was!!! Despite losing the first game I have to say this is the best I have seen @NSaina play in a long long time. Fantastic match so far.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) April 28, 2018

Saina's performance 2day reminds me of Samuel Beckett's quote, "Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better."@NSaina is getting there. Far smarter play than before, much improved footwork & fitness. Hopefully, she will crack the Tai code the next time
— Sudeshna Banerjee (@Sudsports) April 28, 2018

At @BadmintonAsia, the Queen of Deception prevailed over the Queen of Courtcraft again... but oh-so-narrowly! @NSaina will go home with no regrets, knowing that she made @TaiTzu_ying work harder than she has ever done in the past year!

Great match - one for the library!
— Oldhand (@BC_Oldhand) April 28, 2018

It wasn’t to be. But we got to see the @NSaina of the old. If she can maintain this fitness and build on it, she is going to be a challenging opponent for the medal favourites at the Asian Games
— Abhijeet Kulkarni (@abk6580) April 28, 2018

Despite the narrow loss, @NSaina’s aggressive approach made World No 1 Tai Tzu Ying work harder than she has ever done in the last two years. Without any pain or injury, it was Saina Nehwal of the old. Determined and always challenging 🙌🏻

A well-deserved bronze at #BAC2018
— Shivam Damohe (@mancpunk) April 28, 2018

Fought like a tigress! @NSaina wins bronze🥉for India 🇮🇳in the WS.
It was a sheer delight to watch the way you played, she went down in the semis to defending champion and No 1 seed Tai Tzu Ying 25-27; 18-21. Kudos Champ! #BestofBadminton #BAC2018 pic.twitter.com/6J9bfmmdSJ
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) April 28, 2018