Saina withdraws from India Open

New Delhi, March 20 

Saina Nehwal today pulled out of the India Open, which begins here on March 26, after failing to recover from an acute gastroenteritis problem. The 29-year-old had played through pain at the All England Championships as she was suffering from acute gastroenteritis and mild pancreatitis.

She was forced to withdraw from the Swiss Open last week and was admitted to a hospital for treatment.

Saina today informed the Badminton Association of India (BAI) about her decision to withdraw from the $350,000 BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament on medical grounds. “She has not been well since the All England Championships. She sent the letter to withdraw citing stomach pain,” a BAI official said.

Last week, Saina, who had reached the quarterfinals of the All England Championships, had broken the news that she was advised to get admitted to get treated for her illness. Saina had won the India Open women’s singles title in 2015. Olympics silver medallist and former champion PV Sindhu will now be lead India’s challenge in women’s singles. — PTI