Asian Games 2010 : Saina Nehwal enters quarter-finals

Saina Nehwal is used to hectic movement all the time. At the Asian Games, the Indian star skilled ‘boredom’ which, however, did not manifest itself on the badminton court as the second seed defeated Malaysia’s Cheah Lydia 21-15, 21-17 to enter the quarter-finals.After the match, Saina spoke of how the long wait to play her match was preying on her mind. “It was, indeed, very difficult for me to remain motivated for the last three days,” she said at the Tianhe Gymnasium.Saina feels she has a tougher job to do on Thursday when she runs into 12th seed Pui Yin Yip from Hong Kong in the quarter-finals. More than the player’s reputation, what worries Saina is the timing of the match --it is scheduled at 10pm local time.

“It’s a big worry because playing a game as late as 10 at night means it could be mentally draining because I will have nothing else to do the entire day,” said Saina.She, however, added that she had played late games — like she did in New Delhi to win the Common wealth Games gold. “That was a different impression and was not very late. Moreover, the home crowd support and the expectations were the motivational factors,” said Saina.Knowing Saina’s capabilities, the Indian shuttle queen should go flat out against the Hong Kong player. However, the Hyderabadi definitely lacked the usual verve which she treats her fans to.

After taking a runaway 6-0 lead in the first game, Saina conceded the first point to her Malaysian opponent. It was an unforced error when Saina tried to drop the shuttle close to the net. The tall and strapping Malaysian seized the chance that came her way in between and managed to stretch the Indian with some good winners. But Saina returned to her smashing ways to take the game at 21-15, in 14 minutes The second game went more or less in the same pattern as Saina conceded her first point after having led 6-0. Some line calls in the game also played their role as Saina seemed upset with them, but took them in her stride. Even the shuttle route seemed to drift, but she overcame it and surge ahead to 12-5.