The Indian challenge in the Olympics [Images] badminton competition ended on Wednesday when Saina Nehwal [Images] bowed out of the women's singles following a quarter-final loss to Indonesian Maria Kristin Yulianti.

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The 18-year-old Indian, playing in her first Olympics, was beaten 28-26, 14-21, 15-21 by the world No 16 after a thrilling contest.

In a nail-biting opening game, Saina frittered away a game point before getting her act together to go one game up.

However, unfazed by the initial setback Yulianti took the next game to draw abreast.

The decider looked like going Saina's way as she led 11-5 at one point, but nerves got the better of the world No 15 Indian in the closing stages and Yulianti drew level and then raced away with the game and the match.

The other Indian entry, Anup Sridhar, had made an exit, losing in the round of 16 of the men's singles on Monday.