After making it to the last-four phase in 2010, Saina Nehwal aims to go all the way this year in the All England Badminton Championships. With 5 titles leading up to the first shuttle event, India's brightest badminton star desires to make history by winning the coveted title, a feat no other Indian woman has accomplished..
Prakash Padukone, hailed as the best ever Indian shuttler, has won the World Cup, the Common wealth gold and many more titles. He was even the world No. 1, but the 55-year-old is always remembered for winning the All England title. So is Saina's coach Pullela Gopichand, who is the only other Indian to achieve this amazing honour. Such is the trend for this Super Series premier, which kicks off on Tuesday that sports buffs describe it as the 'Wimbledon of badminton'.
Though she refuses to accept it, Saina has got the best possible draw with Wang Yihan being the only Chinese player in her half. The news that Yihan had injured her knee tendon would only bolster Saina's chances. The cross-border rivals are likely to meet in the quarters. If Wang opts out and with defending champion Tine Baun of Denmark pulling out due to a heel injury, Saina's first big test could come only in the final.
But the world No. 5 says getting past the first two rounds will be quite tough. Saina will open against Seung Hee Bae of Korea and is likely to face Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei in the second round. "Bae is very athletic on court. She picks up everything and makes it tough for the opponents. Ying is a classic player with all kinds of strokes. On paper it may appear easy, but for me both are very strong opponents. I have to produce my best to beat them," Saina said.
Prakash Padukone, hailed as the best ever Indian shuttler, has won the World Cup, the Common wealth gold and many more titles. He was even the world No. 1, but the 55-year-old is always remembered for winning the All England title. So is Saina's coach Pullela Gopichand, who is the only other Indian to achieve this amazing honour. Such is the trend for this Super Series premier, which kicks off on Tuesday that sports buffs describe it as the 'Wimbledon of badminton'.
Though she refuses to accept it, Saina has got the best possible draw with Wang Yihan being the only Chinese player in her half. The news that Yihan had injured her knee tendon would only bolster Saina's chances. The cross-border rivals are likely to meet in the quarters. If Wang opts out and with defending champion Tine Baun of Denmark pulling out due to a heel injury, Saina's first big test could come only in the final.
But the world No. 5 says getting past the first two rounds will be quite tough. Saina will open against Seung Hee Bae of Korea and is likely to face Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei in the second round. "Bae is very athletic on court. She picks up everything and makes it tough for the opponents. Ying is a classic player with all kinds of strokes. On paper it may appear easy, but for me both are very strong opponents. I have to produce my best to beat them," Saina said.
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