Saina Nehwal does not consider in living in the past. The world No.4, who had a remarkable season in 2010 winning three Super Series titles and the Common wealth Games gold, said that the fresh term offers new challenges and the past will be of no help in a competitive sport like badminton. The ace shuttler, who will begin the season with the newly upgraded $1.2 million Korea Open Super Series Premier, arrived in Seoul on Sunday and will start her campaign against Tzu Ying Tai of Chinese Taipei in the first round on Wednesday. Tzu, who is ranked 21 in the world, had lost to Saina in the final of the Singapore Open Super Series last June.
Next up for Saina would be Sayaka Sato of Japan. Incidentally, Sayaka too had lost to Saina in the final of the Indonesia Super Series, a week after Saina beat Tzu in the Singapore Super Series final. The Indian is ready to meet the rivals she beat a few months ago. "They are very tough opponents. Moreover, I am coming back from an injury. I don't know how my body will respond to these challenges. Though I had a huge season last year, it's history now. I have to start afresh again and all the players will be eager to start the season on a high note. So it's not going to be easy,'' Saina said.
If she clears the initial rounds Saina will run into Asian Games champion Shixian Wang in the quarters. Shixian, who beat Saina at the World Championships and lost to her at the Hong Kong Super Series will be keen to avenge her defeat. The 20-year-old Chinese girl, claimed the No.1 rank last week but slipped to second this week."I am not thinking too much about any player now. I know in big tournaments like this I have to give my best on all five days of the tournament,'' Saina said.Parupalli Kashyap, the only Indian in men's singles will face Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of Thailand in the first round.
The mixed doubles pair of Valiyaveetil Diju and Jwala Gutta may find it tough against former world champion Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork of England in the first round. It would be no different for Jwala and Ashwini Ponnapa in the women's doubles as they are drawn against Tsk Ka Chan and Hol Wah Chau of Hong Kong. The main event begins on Wednesday after the qualifiers on Tuesday. Korea Open is the first of a new series started by the Badminton World Federation. Five of the 12 Super Series events have been upgraded to Super Series Premier events from this year opening with the Korea Open.
Next up for Saina would be Sayaka Sato of Japan. Incidentally, Sayaka too had lost to Saina in the final of the Indonesia Super Series, a week after Saina beat Tzu in the Singapore Super Series final. The Indian is ready to meet the rivals she beat a few months ago. "They are very tough opponents. Moreover, I am coming back from an injury. I don't know how my body will respond to these challenges. Though I had a huge season last year, it's history now. I have to start afresh again and all the players will be eager to start the season on a high note. So it's not going to be easy,'' Saina said.
If she clears the initial rounds Saina will run into Asian Games champion Shixian Wang in the quarters. Shixian, who beat Saina at the World Championships and lost to her at the Hong Kong Super Series will be keen to avenge her defeat. The 20-year-old Chinese girl, claimed the No.1 rank last week but slipped to second this week."I am not thinking too much about any player now. I know in big tournaments like this I have to give my best on all five days of the tournament,'' Saina said.Parupalli Kashyap, the only Indian in men's singles will face Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of Thailand in the first round.
The mixed doubles pair of Valiyaveetil Diju and Jwala Gutta may find it tough against former world champion Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork of England in the first round. It would be no different for Jwala and Ashwini Ponnapa in the women's doubles as they are drawn against Tsk Ka Chan and Hol Wah Chau of Hong Kong. The main event begins on Wednesday after the qualifiers on Tuesday. Korea Open is the first of a new series started by the Badminton World Federation. Five of the 12 Super Series events have been upgraded to Super Series Premier events from this year opening with the Korea Open.
No comments:
Post a Comment