New Delhi: Saina Nehwal is sweating it out a bit more in practice ahead of the Yonex Sunrise India Open because the ace Indian shuttler says she sometimes forgets her strokes.
“I forget the strokes sometimes and so I have to keep practicing them. Unfortunately I am not very good with the wrist like many other talented players so I have to train harder,” said the two-time Indonesian Open champion, who was sharpening her strokes under the watchful eyes of mentor and national coach Pullela Gopichand at the Siri Fort Complex here today.
Saina said she is desperate to clinch the India Open as it is the only Super Series title she can claim on home turf and winning here would help her get in the groove for the London Olympics in July.
Already assured of an Olympic berth, Saina is back at the venue where she had won the Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2010 and the Indian said she is confident of doing well in the tournament which starts with the qualifiers tomorrow.
“India open is a special tournament. It is the same venue where I had won the Commonwealth Games gold and have good memories and I want to win a Super Series here. It is a very important tournament for me and I am confident of doing well here,” Saina told reporters after a gruelling two-hour practice session here today.
“It would be tough because many top players playing here will also be playing in Olympics and I want to perform well here so that In do well at the next two tournaments in Indonesia and Singapore before the Olympics,” she added.
Asked about the draw, Saina said: “It is a good draw, Tine Baun is there in the quarters. Even the Chinese I had lost against in ABC will also play in the qualifiers here but I am confident.”Already assured of a berth, Saina will be desperate to win the India Open, but for Jwala Gutta, it will be her last chance to become the first Indian shuttler to qualify for two events — women’s and mixed doubles events.
Already ahead in the run for qualification, it will also be the last chance for Ajay Jayaram to cement his place for the Olympics in men’s singles.
Besides the Olympic qualification, the India Open also assumes significance for the young generation of Indian shuttlers who would hope to make an impression at the Siri Fort Sport Complex here. (PTI)
