Saina’s father in tears as he pats his daughter

Tears of joy welled up in the eyes of an emotional and ailing mother of shuttler Saina Nehwal who came very close to becoming the first Indian woman badminton player to reach an Olympic semifinal in the Beijing Games on Wednesday.

Saina’s father Harvir Singh said he was “not too disappointed” with the performance of his daughter, who lost to Indonesian Maria Kristin Yulianti in the quarterfinal, and in fact “I’m proud that she went up to the quarterfinals”.

“Saina has done very well for a girl who has no support except that of her family and I wish she continues to do so”, mumbled Singh, his voiced choked with emotion.

Admitting that Saina’s opponent was “formidable”, Singh said he had no regret that her daughter had lost a match which she could have won.