Saina declared 'most promising player'

Monday, December 8, 2008 (New Delhi)
Saina Nehwal's good performance in the year 2008 has been recognised by the World Badminton Federation as the world body declared her the 'most promising player of the year' in its council meeting in Seoul.

She was elected out of three players proposed by the world body ahead of one Korean and one from Pan America. Saina, who became the first Indian women to break into the list of world top-10, had a dreamrun this year. After reaching the quarterfinals of Beijing Olympics, she also won Chinese Taipei Open, World Junior championship and Commonwealth Youth Games.

Elated at being bestowed with the honour, Saina said, "I am very excited and happy to get this honour. I never expected such an award but now that I have got it, it has motivated me a lot and given me a big boost."I just want to work even harder now and get more results," she added.

Shuttler Saina breaks into top 10, aims higher

New Delhi: Saina Nehwal has capped an incredible season by reaching the top 10 ranking in women's badminton singles.

The good news came on Friday morning and Saina woke up to find herself in an elite domain and world No. 10 is the highest ranking ever achieved by an Indian woman in world badminton.
For someone who targetted a top 25 finish at the beginning of the year, this is an achievement to cherish.

"I can see the happiness in my parent’s eyes and also Gopi Sir is very happy. I think the hard work and my focus and the way I played really helped me reach this level," an ecstatic Saina says.

The year 2008 has been a dream come true for the 18-year-old. It all turned around during Beijing Olympics where she stormed into the quarter-final of the women's singles event.
From then on there was no looking back as Saina eclipsed tennis star Sania Mirza.

A win at the Chinese Taipei Open and then back to back titles at the Commonwealth Youth Games and the World Juniors saw her climb the rankings.

"The way I started playing in May in the China Masters Super Series event, the first tournament where I reached the semi-finals, that day I thought you can do it Saina, You can be in top 10, you can beat top 10 players," she says.

But while it is time for her to celebrate, national coach Pullela Gopichand believes the best is yet to come.

"At this point of time I think target would be to get in right into the top 5 and that will happen if she gets in a few semi-final results and probably a couple of tournament victories," says Gopichand, who won the All-England Badminton Championship in 2001.

Breaking into the top 10 is one thing, staying there demands much more. Now there are new targets in sight for 2009 - the world championships in Hyderabad and the holy grail of badminton - the All-England championships.

Arvind, Saina bow out of Hong Kong meet

India's challenge in the Yonex Sunrise Hong Kong Super Series came to an end on Friday after both Arvind Bhat and Saina Nehwal bowed out in the quarter-finals.

Bhat went down to Thiland's Boonsak Ponsana 26-28, 22-20 and 14-21 while Saina lost to Chen Wang of Hong Kong 25-27, 21-14, 15-21.

Both the Indians gave a good fight to their opponents before going down in the first game and even though they managed to get back on level terms, they lost ground in the decider and bowed out of the tournament.

Saina will be no. 1 in 3 years: Padukone

Saina Nehwal is a 'champion material' and in another three years, India can look forward to seeing a world number one in the Hyderabadi youngster, said legendary shuttler Prakash Padukone.

Seventeen-year-old Saina has most of the qualities a champion needs -- physical, technical, mental and self-belief -- the former All England Champion said.

"If she continues to work hard and remain focused, there is no reason why she can't reach the very top", Padukone, himself a former world number one and a World Cup winner, said in an interview.

"It (Saina becoming world number one) is definitely possible. She is already at 11 (in world rankings) now. It's just a matter of time before she breaks into the top 10", he said.

"I think within a year, she is definitely capable of being in top five, and go on to even become number one may be in two-three years," he said.

This year has been an extraordinary one for Saina, who reached the quarterfinals in the Beijing Olympics and won the recent World Junior Badminton title.

"If she continues like this, she has got everything going right", Padukone said, terming her performance in the two events as impressive, creditable and commendable.

"One can look forward to some great performances from her in the future," he said.

Saina needs to plan her tournament schedule properly, Padukone said, advising her to be selective about tournaments and space them out in such a way that she gets enough time and rest and can work on her weaknesses in between.

traning for short stints abroad -- may be in Malaysia or Indonesia -- would be a good idea for her as such outings would help her familiarise more with the type of game that foreigners play.

"They (foreign players) play a different kind of game, compared to the Indians. So, that does not come as a surprise to you when you play them (If you have short training stints abroad)", Padukone said.

On her quarter-final defeat in Beijing Games, he said that was more due to lack of her experience. Saina was mentally very strong and had self-belief, which were the key factors.

"She believes now that she can beat the best in the world," Padukone said, but cautioned that she should also be prepared to face some defeats along the way as the other players would not give her titles on a platter.

"You have to be prepared mentally to face some reversals...may be one or two odd defeats will be there. That should not upset you", he said.

Saina eyeing senior world championships next year

Saina Nehwal

Saina Nehwal’s victory at the World Junior Championship on Sunday is yet another clear sign of the 18-year-old potential.

The badminton player with this victory has added a new feather to an already crowded cap in 2008. Some thought this was a stage Saina would struggle on but by winning the World Junior title in Pune; she has proved yet again that she is a special talent.

“May be after Olympic I can say this is really special for me. Winning any tournament is really great for me and espacially I didn't win it last time so I really wanted to win it this time,” says Saina.

On the brink of the top 10 on the senior circuit now, Saina is now desperately pursuing a target. She wants to prove herself on the biggest stage in her sport and is keen to make an impression against the best in the business.

“As I have now won the Junior World Championship, I'll be able to win senior championship titles and now next year I'll be focusing on All India Championship and world championship. So, these are the two events that I will be looking forward to,” she adds.

Saina was barely tested on her way to the title at Pune and that will surely boost her self-confident ahead the coming challenges.

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