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Saina storms into maiden India Open final

Saina Nehwal has won a staggering 14 international titles in her glorious career. (AFP Photo)

The phenomenal accomplishments of @NSaina make us very proud. I congratulate her on being the World Number 1. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 28, 2015

Congrats Saina Nehwal on becoming World no 1 in Badminton; well deserved honour; best wishes for Indian Open Semi Final #PresidentMukherjee — President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) March 28, 2015

Congratulations to @NSaina on becoming the first Indian woman to be the World Number 1. (1/2) — sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 28, 2015

Well done and keep smashing them on! A true role model for aspiring sports persons in the country. (2/2) — sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 28, 2015

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NEW DELHI: Saina Nehwal on Saturday scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman shuttler to attain the number one spot in world rankings, reaffirming her status as the country's most consistent performer in the international circuit.Saina also reached her maiden India Open final on Saturday by beating ​Yui Hashimoto 21-15, 21-11 in the second semifinals.The 25-year-old zoomed to the top after her closest challenger for the position, Spain's Carolina Marin , lost in the India Open Super Series semifinal here.Though the official rankings will be out only on Thursday next week, Saina has been assured of her ascent to the top owing to the reigning world champion's 19-21, 23-21, 20-22 loss to third seed Thai Ratchanok Intanon .Saina thus becomes only the second Indian overall to be world number one after Prakash Padukone had the distinction of being the numero uno men's badminton player.The London Olympic bronze-medalist has won a staggering 14 international titles in her glorious career and most recently she became the first Indian woman to make the finals of the prestigious All England Championships in Manchester"Number one is not at the back of mind right now. The only thing I am focussing on is playing all the tournaments and I want to win them," Saina had said when asked about the ranking."I want to perform well and beat the players against whom I was losing. I don't want to lose the way I was losing in the last three years. I want to be more consistent. When you are playing well, other things fall in place", she said.The injury-ravaged Saina, who admitted that it is "tough to maintain rankings", said she remains intent on achieving consistency."It is tough to be in top-five for the last seven years. I hope to maintain it for some more time. I feel good. At the same time I have to work hard every day, train every day. It is too tiring. I want to be the best. It is my personal choice, fight against the top players. I want to be one of the top players in the world," she asserted."Everyone dreams of winning World Championship, Olympics and I am one of them. It is not that right now, I want everything. I want to be a little cool and relaxed and enjoy my game. It's my job and I want to enjoy it," she added.President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Saina on her achievement.The Hyderabad-based player has several firsts to her credit in Indian badminton. She was the first to be a junior world champion, besides being the first to clinch a Super Series title.Legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar also congratulated Saina on twitter.Initially groomed by former All England champion Pullela Gopichand, Saina is currently under the tutelage of former national champion Vimal Kumar.The path-breaker was awarded the country's highest sporting honour -- the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award -- in 2010.