The Hindu : Sport : Saina to focus on winning

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 21, 2010
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Sports : General

Saina to focus on winning

HYDERABAD: Saina Nehwal, the newly-crowned champion in the Singapore Open Super Series on Sunday says the focus right now for her is not merely the numbers but to keep winning.

Speaking to The Hindu late in the evening after her memorable triumph, the champion shuttler from Hyderabad said: “Once you start winning, these rankings are bound to improve.

“So, if I tend to keep thinking about only when I will reach the World No. 1 ranking, which anyhow is my ultimate goal, then I am bound to invite pressure. This I am keen to avoid.”

“What really pleased me in this victory today is the fact that I fought back brilliantly in three matches including the semifinal and the final, after at one stage looking clearly down and out,” the 20-year-old World No. 6 said.

“There is no doubt that I was surprised by the wide range of strokes from the Chinese Taipei girl in the final.

“Initially, I was definitely ruffled but just told myself to stay calm and slow down things. This strategy worked and I am happy with the end result,” Saina said.

“Ideally this was just the finish I was hoping for this weekend, ahead of the Indonesian Open Super Series which I won last year.

“The confidence is high. I don't want to talk big about the prospects but I will not be found wanting in giving off my best,” says Saina ahead of another major event. — Principal Correspondent

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport