President, PM congratulate Saina Nehwal on becoming World No. 1

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Miniter Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Saina Nehwal on becoming the first Indian women to become world's number one badminton player.

In his Tweet, the President said "Congrats Saina Nehwal on becoming World no 1 in Badminton; well deserved honour; best wishes for Indian Open Semi Final."

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

Today, Saina became the first woman badminton player from the country to be ranked number one in the world.  She is the second Indian player to achieve this feat, after legendary Prakash Padukone.

Modi, in his tweet hailed Saina's achievement as 'phenomenal.'

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

After reaching the semi-finals yesterday, all Saina needed was a favourable result from the match between Carolina Marin of Spain and Ratchanok Inaton of Thailand.

Both Saina and All England champion Marin entered the India Super Series tournament with an eye to become the World No.1. And, Inaton defeated the Spaniard in a thrilling women's singles semi-final at the Siri Fort Sports Complex. The Thai shuttler won the match in 21-19, 21-23, 22-20.

Later today, Saina will player her semi-final match against Japan's Yui Hashimoto, and irrespective of the result in that match, the 25-year-old will become world's highest ranked player.