Update: Nehwal won the India Open Super Seriesby defeating Intanon (21-16, 21-14) on Sunday.
Saina Nehwal has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to secure the World No. 1 position in badminton.
Nehwal bagged the top spot after the reigning champion Carolina Marin from Spain was beaten by third-seed Ratchanok Intanon from Thailand in the first semifinal of the Indian Open Super Series in Delhi.
Nehwal, 25, also beat Japan's Yui Hashimoto (21-15, 21-11) in the second semifinal at the Siri Fort sports complex on Sunday. Nehwal will play Intanon in the final.
The champion from Hyderabad has won 14 international titles, and she recently reached the finals of the prestigious the All England Championship, but lost out to Marin.
"Everybody dreams of winning the Olympics or the World Championships. I'm one of them. But I want to be relaxed, enjoy my game. Becoming No.1 is a good thing. If it's in my destiny, it will happen," she said before her top spot was confirmed.
On Sunday, Nehwal said that it was a "great day."
World number 1 😊😊😊oh my god it's a great day and really happy to be playing finals tomorrow at india open in Delhi . pic.twitter.com/zPuhTHTTIC
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) March 28, 2015
Keep supporting friends thank u all for the love 😊😊
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) March 28, 2015
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee congratulated Nehwal on her big victory.
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