Saina Nehwal handed tough World Super Series Finals draw

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  • Saina Nehwal will face world No1 Carolina Marin of Spain in the group stage.

    Indian sensation Saina Nehwal is keeping her expectations low heading into the badminton World Super Series Finals in Dubai this week as she attempts to fully recover from a lingering Achilles problem.

    Nehwal, who became the first Indian woman to rank No1 in the sport earlier this season but has now dropped to No2, has been dealt a daunting draw in Dubai where she shares a group with top-ranked Spaniard and reigning world champion Carolina Marin, defending Finals champion Tai Tzu-ying and Japan’s former world junior champion Nozomi Okuhara.

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    Group B includes Chinese duo Wang Shixian and Wang Yihan along with Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon and South Korea’s Sung Ji-hyun.

    “I’ve been okay for the last four or five days and I just hope to give my best,” Nehwal told reporters on Monday ahead of the Finals which take place at the Hamdan Sports Complex from December 9-13.

    “Of course I’m not expecting big results because of the injury which I had in China. I just want to give my best and I’m sure if I do that I can do really well.”

    Marin, the current world No1, has emerged as a tough rival for Nehwal, who leads their head-to-head 3-2 but has lost to the Spaniard in their last two encounters this season – in the finals of the All England Open and the World Championships.

    The pair share numerous similarities as they both have become icons in their respective countries – Marin pioneering the badminton scene in Spain and Nehwal driving more and more females to take up the sport.

    Both have chosen tennis legends as idols, Nehwal says she has been inspired by Roger Federer while Marin looks up to her compatriot Rafael Nadal.

    But while Nehwal will be making her fifth consecutive appearance at the World Super Series Finals – which includes the top eight players in the Destination Dubai rankings (points from Super Series events only), Marin will be making her debut, having missed the cut last year despite being 2014 world champion.

    Nehwal admits the round robin format of the Finals poses a different challenge compared to other tournaments which follow a regular knockout schedule but she hopes her previous experience in the competition, and her large fan base in Dubai will help her cause.

    This week at the Hamdan Sports Complex, Nehwal will be backed by her “Saina Squad”, a group of 20 passionate Indian fans selected by broadcaster Star Sports to support the world No2 court-side at her matches.

    “I’m very very happy to see that there are so many Indians coming and watching my matches” said the 25-year-old. “It’s a positive sign because if people travel like this with me for more time then the interest will become more and we can see more badminton players from India coming up.”

    On being drawn with Marin in Group A, Nehwal added: “I think she had a great year this year, she’s been playing really well.

    “She’s a tough competitor for everyone. She’s in good shape right now and I’m struggling with the injury so you never know. In this group she and Tai Tzu Ying are the main people whom I’ve lost to this year and I just hope I give them a good fight.”

    On her part, Marin, 22, is looking forward to experiencing round robin play for the first time. The Andalucian won five Super Series titles this season and comes to Dubai in great form.

    “I know it’s going to be difficult but of course I’m looking forward to playing tough matches because if I want to win this tournament I need to do that,” said the top-seeded Marin.

    In the men’s singles, world No1 Chen Long, is looking to defend his Finals crown from last year.

    The 26-year-old is having his best season to date, having won seven big titles including the World and the All England championships.

    “I have learned to deal with the pressure and relax. I don’t think about being a champion – I just put my heart into the game I love,” said the Chinese, who is the first man to win more than 100,000 ranking points.

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