New Delhi: Star Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal has regained the top spot in the latest women’s singles rankings released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Thursday.
The Hyderabadi pipped reigning Olympic champion Li Xuerui of China, who dropped to No.2, to become No.1 again. Saina has won two titles this year — India Open Superseries and India Grand Prix Gold — and also reached the final of the prestigious All England Open, which is a Superseries Premier event.
The 25-year-old will next play the $750,000 Australian Open Superseries next week in Sydney.
Meanwhile, compatriot and two-time World Championship bronze medallist P.V. Sindhu dropped a place to No.12.
In men’s singles, all three Indians in the top-25 maintained their positions with Kidambi Srikanth at No.4, Parupalli Kashyap at No.13 and H.S. Prannoy at No.15.
In women’s doubles, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa also rose a place to No.21.
There are no Indians in the top-25 of mixed and men’s doubles rankings.