Super Saina completes hat-trick
Achieving milestones does not come easy, but Hyderabad shuttler Saina Nehwal seems to be basking in the “many firsts” that come after her name.
Saina defeated Japanese Sayaka Sato 21-19, 13-21, 21-11 in a 45-minute final of the Indonesian Open Super Series in Jakarta on Sunday, not only to defend her crown b
ut also to complete a hat-trick of titles — Saina won the Indian Open Grand Prix Gold event on June 13 in Chennai, followed by the Singapore Open Super Series title on June 20.
The Arjuna and Padmashree award recipient was elated. “It’s a superb feeling — indeed an achievement to cherish always... becoming World No.3, defending my Indonesian Open Super Series title, winning the Singapore Open Super Series and Indian Open — it’s reason enough to celebrate,” Saina told this newspaper from Jakarta on Sunday.
“I am eager to come home so that I can share these precious moments with my family too,” said Saina.
“It has been three long and very tiring weeks for me as I have been playing these tournaments one after another. However, ending all with a victory motivates you to do better,” she added.
Did she miss the Chinese? “No comments,” Saina laughed, saying, “That was an advantage for me since the psychology is different when you are against a Chinese player. But again, that does not mean that victory is all yours. You have to play your best because you never know what determination and tactics your opponent is going to adopt.”
Saina’s parents — Dr Harvir Singh and Usha Rani — hailed their daughter’s victory. “Saina has done us proud. With God’s grace, we hope she brings laurels to the country,” Dr Singh said.
“I was really tensed when I saw that Saina was down in the second game. But she easily overcame the hiccup in the third one,” said Usha.
National chief coach Pullela Gopichand is proud of Saina’s feat. “It is a great victory for Saina. Many aspire but only few are able to scale these heights. Saina is hard-working and she really deserves it,” said Gopichand.
“Her focus now will be the World Championships (August), the Commonwealth Games (October) and the Asian Games. Now, looking at her achievements, I can say she definitely has it in her to get the gold at the Olympics,” Gopichand added.
Post new comment