Glasgow: Two years can be a long time in an athlete’s career. If that’s hard to believe, then ask Saina Nehwal. The 27-year-old arrived in Glasgow for the 2017 Badminton World Championships as last edition’s losing finalist and general convention would suggest that she would be a big draw in the run-up to the main event.
But the 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist hasn’t found a place on the numerous giant hoardings across Glasgow, while compatriot PV Sindhu has been one of the lead characters in all the promotion material.
Sindhu’s elevation as the primary contender to the crown is understandable given her silver medal at the Rio Olympics. The 22-year-old has had the air of a champion at the Emirates Arena since her arrival on Friday.
On the other hand, Nehwal seems happy being almost invisible and prefers to put in the hard yards with coach Vimal Kumar in the practice courts. She has also preferred to stay away from giving any comments to the media about her preparation.
Saina preparing away from the limelight
But it is clear that India’s most successful star in terms of Superseries titles isn’t under-prepared in any way for the world championships. It will only boil down to the confidence in her own fitness levels when she takes the court on Wednesday in the second round against Sabrina Jaquet of Switzerland.
The luck of the draw also seems to have favoured the world No 16 with her first real challenge expected to come against second seed Sung Ji Hyun of Korea in the pre-quarter-finals. The difference in ranking and thereby form notwithstanding, Nehwal couldn’t have got a better opponent to regain her confidence and form than the Korean. And the 7-2 head-to-head record in the Indian’s favour is not the only reason for this optimism.
It is Sung’s style of play that relies on playing long rallies and predictable stroke selection that gives Saina an edge. It is common knowledge that the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist doesn’t really relish playing against stroke players. Avoiding the likes of Ratchanok Intanon or Carolina Marin in the early part of her draw should have already given her a mental boost.
If she manages to cross this hurdle, the Indian shuttler is likely to face the rather erratic He Bingjiao of China or local hope Kristy Gilmour. Though Bingjiao can play lot more strokes than the Scottish player, she isn’t as consistent as some of her other counterparts and Saina can explore that weakness to nullify her advantage of being a southpaw.
On her part, Saina has enjoyed working out of limelight and has added a few new shots to her regular stroke-play. It effectively means that she would have a Plan B in place rather than just trying to hit her way out when under pressure on the relatively slower courts and shuttles in Glasgow.
Pressure of expectation on Sindhu
Sindhu, on the other hand, would have to handle the pressure of her own expectations. She faces a tricky first encounter against Kim Hyo Min of Korea, whose considerable height can trouble the Indian.
Though not in an extremely difficult quarter, Sindhu’s last-eight opponent is also a tall player, Sun Yu of China. Once again, it could boil down to strategy for the Indian ace as she has previously struggled against tall players.
But Sindhu has said she has improved her physical and mental game since the Rio Olympics and that preparation could be tested early. If Sindhu and Saina could see through the initial rounds, an all-Indian final cannot be ruled out.
The other two – Tanvi Lad and Rituparna Das – have managed to qualify due to major withdrawals from teams from either the World University Games or the South East Asia Games. While Lad came from a game down beat England’s Chloe Birch in the first-round encounter, Das got a walkover and will play Gilmore in the second round.
Not much is expected from the duo but if Lad manages to push Sung for long in the second round or create an upset, it will be advantage Saina for sure.
Sindhu has already stated that her primary goal at the World Championships is the change the colour of the medals she has won so far in the flag-ship event. But for Saina, who has come here with little expectation, finishing on the podium can be a realistic aim.
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