Saina, Jwala-Diju make it a year to remember for badminton

Amit Kumar Das
New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) Saina Nehwal broke the Chinese
stranglehold, while the mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and
V Diju cracked the top-10 chart as Indian badminton rose in
stature in a reasonably successful 2009.
After a highly promising last year where she won the
Chinese Taipei title, Saina proved once again why she is the
brightest star in Indian badminton as she went a step ahead
this year.
The Hyderabadi became the first Indian to win a Super
series title when she clinched the Indonesian Open in June.
The hard work of the past two years paid off and the
shuttler was conferred the coveted Arjuna Award in August,
where her mentor Pullela Gopichand received the Dronacharya
Award.
If Saina broke the Chinese dominance this year, Jwala and
Diju made India a force to reckon with in mixed doubles.
The duo became the first Indian pair to reach the
quarterfinals of the World championship in Hyderabad but it
was the victory at Chinese Taipei Grand Prix Gold in August
which was the highlight of a dream year as it catapulted them
to the top-10 bracket.
The year 2009 also saw Arvind Bhat break the title jinx
at the National championship after four abortive finals, when
he beat P Kashyap in the summit clash in Indore.
Saina, the first Indian shuttler to make the Olympic
quarterfinals in Beijing last year, continued her
giant-killing run this year too as the Indian taught a thing
or two to the Chinese in their own game.
The 19-year-old made a steady start to the season and
reached the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Super Series, Swiss
Open and India Open in Hyderabad in March and also helped
India reach Group 2 of the Sudirman Cup in May.
The Singapore Open in June again saw the Indian ace reach
the last eight where she lost to Wang Lin but a gritty Saina
avenged her loss in Indonesia by beating the Chinese in the
finals to clinch her maiden super series title.
She also reached the quarters of Malaysian Open but a
bout of mild chicken pox just two weeks before the World
Championship threatened her chances of participating in the
tournament which was being held in India for the first time.
But she recovered in time to not only take part in the
event but also become the first Indian woman to reach the
quarterfinals where she lost to old rival Wang Lin.
However, a miscommunication between the Indian officials
and the Badminton World Federation regarding sending of
entries saw Saina miss the China Masters, which was just
after the World Championships.
When she eventually returned to the circuit, the Indian
made it to the quarters of back-to-back super series events in
Denmark and French to reach a career-best ranking of world
number six in October.
With the year nearing end, Saina participated in the
World Super Series Masters Final and reached the semifinals of
the prestigious event, an encore of her performance last year.
As Saina cemented her place in the top league in singles,
the seven-time national doubles champion Jwala Gutta and her
partner V Diju made quite a splash in mixed doubles.
For Jwala and Diju, it was a year in which they moved
from strength to strength and consolidated their position on
the global map.
The duo created a flutter when they made it to the finals
of the Indian Open in Hyderabad in March and signed off the
year on a high reaching the finals of the season-ending World
Super Series Masters Finals.
The men's doubles pair of Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas
also notched up up some impressive triumphs in the
international arena when the duo clinched the New Zealand
Grand Prix in July and the Bitburger Open in October.
They also reached the finals of the Australian Open Grand
Prix in July.
On the downside, this year proved to be a low key one for
the men's singles players like Chetan Anand and Arvind Bhat as
none of them could win any international tournaments, only
managing odd quarterfinal appearances.
P Kashyap, though, had something to sheer about as he
managed to finish runners-up in the Spanish Open and Open
Volant d'Or in May but his form too dipped after that.
The most disappointing of all was India's number one
shuttler Chetan for whom it was a forgettable year as fitness
and poor form kept haunting him all through. It wasn't any
better for Arvind either.
Apart from winning his maiden national title this year,
Arvind had nothing much to show and the only bright moment for
him was reaching a career-best 21st after making the quarters
of Macau Open.
Olympian Anup Sridhar also struggled with injuries and
fitness issues and his only high point was beating the then
world number two Peter Gade of Denmark to reach the quarters
of Singapore Super Series.
Although the men disappointed, overall the year turned
out to be a good one for India as it consolidated its position
at the world stage and with the country hosting the
Commonwealth Games next year, it would be another opportunity
for the shuttlers to shine bright next year too.

Syed Modi International Grand Prix

Saina, Chetan in quarters; Arvind crashes out of Syed Modi
Amit Kumar Das
Lucknow, Dec 17 (PTI) Saina Nehwal and Chetan Anand
advanced to the quarterfinals but Arvind Bhat crashed out
after a stunning third-round defeat in the Syed Modi
International Grand Prix badminton tournament here today.
Top seed Saina crushed Chitralekha 21-9 21-7 to set up a
clash with fifth seed Indonesian Fransiska Ratnasari, while
Chetan struggled past Indonesian Adnan Fauzi 21-11 20-22
21-17.
The men's top seed will take on compatriot Anup Sridhar
in the quarterfinals tomorrow. Sixth seeded Sridhar spanked
Eshan Naqvi 21-14 21-11 in another match.
However, the biggest upset of the day was the shocking
21-15 19-21 14-21 defeat of Arvind at the hands of Malaysian
Kwong Beng Chan in an hour long match.
In a match that had 111 rallies, Arvind squandered a
first game lead and then found the going tough against the
Malaysian, who held nerve at crucial junctures to emerge as
victorious.
In the first game, the Malaysian opened up a 10-4 lead
but a gutsy Arvind pocketed 14 points on the stretch to lead
18-10 before pocketing the game.
But in the second game, the Indian committed some
unforced errors to allow the Malaysian to take a 10-5 lead.
Arvind tried to come back and made it 19-20 before Chan
wrapped it up to draw level.
In the decider, Chan again zoomed to a 10-3 lead and
although Arvind tried to come back, making it 14-18, it was
all over soon.
Among other Indians in fray, fourth seed P Kashyap
struggled past German Dieter Domke 21-12 19-21 21-17 and
eighth seed RMV Gurusaidatt pipped Ajay Jayaram 16-21 21-8
21-12 in 42 minutes to reach the quarterfinals.
Sai Praneet B also made it the final eight when Nikhil
Kanetkar retired midway with the former leading 6-2.
In women's singles, Sikki Reddy beat third seed Maja
Tvrdy 21-16 21-14, qualifier PV Sindhu beat compatriot Mohita
Sahdev 21-12 21-14. Seventh seed Trupti Murgunde rallied to
pip Japanese Hirayama Yu 17-21 21-18 23-21, while Aditi
Mutatkar prevailed over fourth seed Neha Pandit 21-16 21-18.
However, it was all over for Dhanya Nair, who went down
to second seed Indonesian Maria Febe Kusumastuti 21-12 21-6.
In the men's doubles, top seed Akdhay Dewalkar and Jishnu
Sanyal beat compatriots Davinder Dhillon and Hemant Duggal
21-4 21-18 and Sanave Thomas and V Diju defeated Venkat Gaurav
and Manish Gupta 21-13 21-14 Second seed Tarun Kona and Arun
Vishnu got the better of Sai Praneet B and Pranav Chopra 18-21
21-11 21-18 to reach the quarterfinals.
Among the women, top seeds Aparna Balan and Shruti Kurian
also reached the quarters after beating Chitralekha and Parssa
Naqvi 21-12 21-19 in the women's doubles category.

...................................................

Didn't handle injuries properly: Sridhar
Lucknow, Dec 17 (PTI) Fitness problems have marred his
international career in the past couple of years and Indian
shuttler Anup Sridhar today said he paid the price for not
dealing with his injuries properly.
"I didn't deal with my injuries properly and paid the
price. I made hasty recoveries and played too many tournaments
this year," Anup, who slipped from 24 in early 2008 to 39th in
the current international rankings, told PTI.
"I committed too many mistakes but now I have learnt my
lessons and I would schedule my tournaments well next season,"
he added.
Asked what would be his schedule next year, Anup said
after the national championship, he would take a long break
before playing any tournament.
"Next year, I am starting with the nationals but after
that I would take a six weeks break and then depending upon
how I feel, I will decide which tournaments to play," he said.
Anup, who represented India in the Beijing Olympics, is
also in the list of probables for the 2010 Commonwealth Games
but the Bangalorean said the event is too far away right now.
"I am far from qualifying for the Commonwealth Games
right now. But things can change within three-four months. So
I am not thinking anything now. Now the priority is to
concentrate on my fitness and take things as it comes.
"Of course, if I can make it to the team, I will give my
best to win a medal," said Anup, who married two weeks ago.

...............

Saina, Chetan in semifinals
Amit Kumar Das
Lucknow, Dec 18 (PTI) Top seeds Saina Nehwal and Chetan
Anand advanced to the semifinals while RMV Gurudsaidutt
shocked higher ranked Indonesian Andre Kurniawan Tedjono in
straight games to reach the final four in the Syed Modi
International Grand Prix badminton tournament here today.
World number eight Saina survived a scare to pip fifth
seed Fransiska Ratnasari of Indonesia 11-21 21-4 21-19 in a
54-minute battle and set up a semifinal clash with sixth seed
Jeanine Cicognini of Switzerland, while Chetan beat sixth seed
compatriot Anup Sridhar 21-18 21-10 in just 29 minutes.
In a see-saw battle, Gurusaidutt held his nerve in
crucial moments to beat Andre 21-18 21-16 in a 42 minutes to
reach the semifinals, where he will meet Chetan tomorrow.
Fourth seed Aditi Mutatkar also made merry notching up a
21-12 21-14 win over compatriot seventh seed Trupti Murgunde
in 24 minutes in the women's singles.
However, it was end of road for Parupalli Kashyap, Sai
Praneet B, PV Sindhu and Sikki Reddy.
While fourth seed Kashyap went down fighting to fifth
seed Indonesian Dyonisius Hayom Rumbaka 24-22 19-21 21-12 in a
57-minute battle, Sai put up a spirited fight before losing to
Malaysian Kwong Beng Chan 13-21 20-22 in men's singles.
Promising shuttler Sindhu took a game away from her
fancied rival second seed Maria Febe Kusumastuti of Indonesia
before going down 21-15 4-21 11-21, while Sikki lost 20-22
18-21 to sixth seed Swiss Jeanine Cicognini.
Gurusaidutt started the proceeding for India and opened
up a 2-0 lead in the first game but Andre came back strongly
to go 7-4 up soon.
The Indian then pocketed three straight points to draw
parity at 8-all and then moved neck and neck till 17-17 before
breaking loose to seal the first game.
In the decider, the Indian was more ruthless as from 2-2,
he zoomed to a three point lead at 9-6 but the Indonesian soon
caught hold of him at 9-9 and 12-12. Gurusaidutt soon knocked
down five straight points to lead 17-12 and eventually sealed
the issue as Andre's game crumbled.
Saina too had a tough match as the Indian was a game
down but she held her nerves to tide over the Indonesian.
"I didn't expect the match to be so tough. I was losing
some shots as I was smashing from mid-court and I was finding
it easier to play from one side of the court but I pulled it
off in the end," she said after the match.
"Since I have played too many tournaments this year, my
fitness is also a little down but I have improved in my
strokes," she added.
Among others in fray, second seed Tarun Kona and Arun
Vishnu spanked compatriots Arun Nandaluri and Srujan Nandaluri
21-9 21-9, while top seed Akshay Dewalkar and Jishnu Sanyal
pipped fellow Indians Sanave Thomas and Diju Valiyaveetil
21-14 14-21 21-17 in the men's doubles.
In the women's doubles, however, it was curtains for top
seeds Aparna Balan and Shruti Kurian as they lost 15-21 21-8
12-21 to Indonesian pair of Nadya Melati and Devi Tika
Permatasari.

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Saina, Chetan reach finals of Syed Modi
Amit Kumar Das
Lucknow, Dec 19 (PTI) Top India shuttlers Saina Nehwal
and Chetan Anand did not break sweat and sailed into the
finals, but it was the resurgence of Aditi Mutatkar that was
the highlight of the day in the Syed Modi International
Grand Prix tournament here today.
World number eight Saina trounced sixth seeded
Switzerland's Jeanine Cicognini 21-12 21-10 in just 24
minutes, while 17th ranked Chetan came better off compatriot
RMV Gurusaidutt 21-16 21-13 in a battle that lasted 35
minutes.
Chetan will now take on fifth seeded Indonesian Dyonisius
Hayom Rumbaka in the final tomorrow.
But it was Aditi, who stole the show with her
power-packed performance, as the fourth seeded Indian saw off
second seeded Maria Febe Kusumastuti of Indonesia in a
33-minute clash.
Aditi, in a see-saw battle, cruised to a 5-2 lead and
kept her rival on the toes but the Indonesian slowly narrowed
the gap and drew level at 14-all and 20-all, before Aditi
grabbed two crucial point to seal the first game in her
favour.
The second game started on an aggressive note as the duo
moved neck and neck from 2-2 to 6-6 to take the lead, but with
Aditi in full flow, the Indonesian opponent's game crumbled as
she conceded five points to allow Aditi to zoom past with 13-7
lead. She then gave away four more points to Aditi on the trot
before the Indian eventually wrapped up the issue.
"This is my first final of the year and I am very happy.
After my injury early this year, I was going through a tough
phase and this win has given me a lot of confidence and
self-belief," Aditi told PTI after the match.
While Aditi had a tough battle, Saina had a walk in the
park as she thrashed the Switzerlander after involving in some
deft net play which left her rival without any clue.
"I expected the match to be easy and it was easy. Unlike
yesterday's match where I was stretched, I did not have any
problem today," Saina said.
Among other Indians in fray, third seeded mixed-doubles
pair of Shruti Kurian and Tarun Kona beat Indonesian duo of
Devi Tika Permatasari and Adnan Fauzi 21-18 19-21 21-16 in a
43-minute match to set up a clash with compatriots Aparna
Balan and Arun Vishnu, who beat fellow-mates Pradnya Gadre and
Akshay Dewalkar 18-21 22-20 22-20 in 40 minutes.
In men's doubles, second seeded Tarun Kona and Arun Vishnu
lost to Indonesian pair of Adnan Fauzi and Tri Kusumawardana
17-21 21-13 16-21, while top seeded Akshay Dewalkar and Jishnu
Sanyal defeated fourth seeded Alwin Francis and Shankar Gopan
19-21 21-8 21-18 in another match.
In women's doubles, Megha Marin Ninan and Prajakta Sawant
brushed aside the challenge of Indonesian pair Nadya Melati
and Devi Tika Permatasari 15-21 8-21.

.............................

Saina is a breath of fresh air in badminton: Taufik
Lucknow, Dec 19 (PTI) Ace India shuttler Saina Nehwal is
like a breath of fresh air in a sport dominated by the Chinese
and with national coach Pullela Gopichand around she is in
safe hands, feels ace Indonesian shuttler Taufik Hidayat.
Taufik feels with Saina and Chetan Anand leading the
charge, Indian shuttlers have a great future ahead.
"With Saina and Chetan playing well, India can be a force
to reckon with in badminton in future.
"Saina is like a breath of fresh air in women's singles
which has been dominated by the Chinese and coach Gopichand
has been a great guide for her. I feel with Gopichand around,
Saina will get the best tips and guidance which will help her
perform and prolong her life in the court," Taufik said.
Taufik, who considers his 2004 Summer Olympics gold medal
as his best, said currently the Chinese are dominating the
game globally as they have the best regeneration process.
"The Chinese are way ahead in badminton at the moment.
Their domination and team strength is great as they have great
bench strength. They keep producing players one after another,
so they have the best second and third line players," he said.
The champion Indonesian shuttler had a very good season
and he feels turning professional early in the year has helped
his performance.
"Going professional early this year has helped me to
focus more and have given me the freedom, which was missing
when I was with the national team. Now I can choose which
tournament to play and the freedom has been reflected in my
performance," Taufik said.
The six-time Indonesian Super Series champion won the
Indian Open, US Open and Macau Open this year.
Asked about his rivalry with three-time world champion
Lin Dan of China, Taufik said, "Currently he is the best. Dan
is in his golden age as I was when I was 24-24. His all round
capability, speed, stamina are unparellel."
Taufik, who was here to play an exhibition match for
Yonex in Syed Modi International Grand Prix tournament, said
unlike this year he would like to take part in the tournament
next time around.
"The facilities and the court are really good out here
and I would like to come here next year as a player and
participate. Lets see how things pan out," he said.
Asked about his favourite player, the 2005 World Champion
said his first coach Iie Sumirat remains his icon.
"My coach Sumirat remains my favourite. He used to teach
me when I was young. He belonged to the 1970s era," said
Taufik, who won the Asian Games twice.

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Saina, chetan win singles titles in Syed Modi GP tourney
Amit Kumar Das
Lucknow, Dec 20 (PTI) Saina Nehwal and Chetan Anand
clinched the singles titles of the USD 50,000 Jaypee Cup Syed
Modi International Grand Prix badminton tournament to end the
season on a high note, here today.
India's domination was quite evident as apart from the
women's singles and men's singles titles, the hosts also won
the mixed doubles crown and its men's doubles team also made
the summit clash at the Babu Banarasi Das UPBA Academy here.
World number eight Saina scored a convincing 21-17, 21-13
win over fourth seed compatriot Aditi Mutatkar in the women's
singles summit clash.
"This is my biggest win as I have won it in India. I was
in desperate need of this win as I didn't have a very good
second half because of fever. So I am really happy to win it
here," Saina said after the match.
World number 17 Chetan overcame a second-game lapse to
beat fifth seed Indonesian Dyonisius Hayom Rumbaka 21-17,
19-21, 21-16 in the men's singles final.
Both the winners earned USD 3,750 each as prize money.
Second seeds Aparna Balan and Arun Vishnu also notched up
their second title of the year when they pipped fellow Indian
third seeds Shruti Kurian and Tarun Kona 21-14, 17-21, 21-19
in a gruelling mixed doubles final.
However, it was a disappointing day for the men's doubles
pair of Akdhay Dewalkar and Jisnhu Sanyal, who lost the
thrilling final 25-27, 25-23, 15-21 to Indonesian pair of
Adnan Fauzi and Tri Kusumawardana.
In the women's doubles final, third seeded Japanese pair
of Misaki Matusutomo and Akaya Tekahashi defeated Indonesian
duo Nadya Melati Devi Tika Permatasari 21-14, 15-21 21-15.
In the all Indian women's singles final, Saina used her
wide range of strokes and deft net play to see off Aditi, who
was a bit off-colour today.
The Hyderabadi quickly opened up a 6-1 lead and although
Aditi narrowed the gap a number of times from 6-7 to 17-18,
Saina had the last laugh as she sealed the first game.
Aditi employed a defensive approach and tried to tire out
Saina but her ploy didn't work as Saina mixed attack with
defense.
In the second game, Aditi changed her racquet but still
couldn't change the course of the game and conceded three
points first to allow Saina zoom to 3-0. Soon the world number
eight widened the gap and Aditi's game crumbled.

..................................

My wins have changed world's perception towards India: Saina
Amit Kumar Das
Lucknow, Dec 20 (PTI) She broke the Chinese stranglehold
in badminton with her successes and Saina Nehwal feels her
feat has not only changed the perception of world towards
India but also inspired other shuttlers globally to challenge
China in their own game.
"I never take my opponents as Chinese or Indonesian. But
I feel with me winning more against them, the perception of
the Chinese and the whole world towards India has changed,"
Saina told PTI.
"It has also given other countries the confidence that we
can also beat the Chinese. So it is not only about India but
it has also inspired other countries to beat the Chinese in
their game," she added.
World number eight Saina said while this year she went a
step ahead with her Indonesian Super Series win, it was the
Beijing Olympics quarterfinal appearance that really imbibed
confidence and self belief in her.
"The year was very good. I won the Indonesian Super
Series, something which I still don't believe because I had
never thought I could win it so early in my career. And its
not about just this win, I had a number of quarterfinal and
semifinal appearances," she said.
"But it was the Olympics performance which gave me lot of
confidence to beat top players. The Chinese Taipei win helped
me a lot in world juniors.
"This year I have improved lot on my strokes. If last
year was more of running, this year I have improved on my
strokes, movement and also in my defence. So, I feel I have
gained a lot overall as a player," Saina said.
Asked if there is any grey area which is a matter of
concern for her, Saina said, "I am an attacking player but I
feel I still have to improve on my defence and strokes. I know
my smashes are good but I still have to improve, I have to
keep improving always. To win at international level I have to
improve on my stamina and strokes."
The 20-year-old Hyderabadi said with three major events
in Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Championships
round the corner, next year she will cut down on her Super
Series appearances to prepare for the tournaments.
"Next year's challenges will be the Commonwealth Games,
Asian Games and the World Championships. I am really looking
forward to these three events. I am not thinking much about
ranking.
"I will skip a lot of tournaments next year. I will be
skipping a lot of Super Series tournaments as my focus will be
to do well in these three tournaments," Saina said.
Asked about her expectations from the October 3-14 slated
Delhi Games, Saina promised to give her best in the megaevent.
"I don't want to tell what I have in my mind right now. I
just want to give my best. Everybody is playing well, even the
Malaysians are playing well. I can't say that I am going to
win but I can say I will give my best shot," she said.

...............................................

Onus on youngsters to make India badminton powerhouse: Saina
Lucknow, Dec 20 (PTI) Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal feels
India has got facilities as good as anywhere in the world and
it is upto the youngsters to make use of them and perform in
international tournaments for the country to become a
badminton powerhouse in the next seven years.
"It will take time for an Indian to win a super series
again and so the onus is on the young players like Sikki
(Reddy), (PV) Sindhu and others to train hard and perform
internationally. That can take India to the top league within
the next 6-7 years," Saina told reporters here today.
"The facilities in India are quite good now. The
facilities at Lucknow, Hyderabad and Pune are very good and so
now it's the responsibility of the junior players to carry on
the good work," she said after beating Aditi Mutatkar to win
the Syed Modi International Grand Prix singles title here.
Saina said she was in desperate need of this title and
was a little tense because she was facing an Indian in the
final.
"This is my biggest win as I have won it in India. I was
in desperate need of this win as I didn't have a very good
second half of the year because of health problems. So I am
really happy to win here," said Saina who won Indonesian super
series in June.
"There is always a tension and pressure when you play an
Indian. I have played her at least 10 times, so I was 60 per
cent confident of winning. Aditi is a good rally player but
she was defensive today," she said.

Saina regains fitness, eyes Japan Open

NEW DELHI: Gearing up for her return after a month-long break, ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal said she has regained full fitness and would be at
the top of her game during next week's Japan Open Super Series.

Saina was down with chicken pox weeks before the World Badminton Championship last month but the Hyderabadi battled on to become the first Indian to reach the quarterfinal of the blue-ribbon event.

Having regained her full fitness, the world number seven will now return to the court next week in the Japan Open Super Series starting September 22 and the 19-year-old said she is ready for the challenge.

"I needed a break to be on top of my game and fitness after chicken pox. So, this break has helped refresh me," Saina said.

"It is a tough draw. I am in the second half and there are players like Pi Hongyan, Tine Russmussen. So, it is difficult but I am not bothered. At the moment, it's just the first match and I am well prepared for the challenge."

Saina will open her campaign against world number 10 Chinese Yanjiao Jiang and Beijing Olympics quarter-finalist said it wouldn't be an easy match.

"I am playing the world number 10 and I have played her twice and the last time was in the Asian Championship. I lost in three sets. But I am prepared this time and will give her a good fight," she said.

Saina couldn't participate in the ongoing China Masters after missing the deadline for sending the entries which resulted in a mild slump in her world rankings but the Indonesian Super Series winner said she is not thinking about her rankings right now.

"I know I couldn't play the China Open and my rankings went down because of that. It is a concern but I am not thinking about rankings," she said.

Saina needs to be within the top-eight bracket to qualify for the all-important World Super Series Masters final in December and the Indian said she was confident of making the cut.

"The World Super Series Masters is too far away at the moment. After the Japan Open, I am playing four Super Series this year -- Denmark, France, Hong Kong and China and I know if can win the Indonesian Open, I can win these Super Series too, which will again raise my rankings," she said.

Asked if she would be jittery when she takes the court after remaining out of action for a month, Saina conceded she might have to tackle a bit of nervousness initially.

"After a break you tend to get a little jittery and nervous at the start but after two points things come back to normal. So it’s ok. I think I have played enough international tournaments to deal with it and it is not a problem," she said.

Taipei title is history now, focused on Japan Open: Jwala

Not the one to bask in past glory, ace Indian doubles player Jwala Gutta has already forgotten her Chinese Taipei win and is gearing up for the Japan Open that gets underway next week.


Jwala and V Diju are the world number seven mixed doubles pair and the duo won the Chinese Taipei Grand Prix Gold last month but the Hyderabadi girl said she has gotten over the euphoria of winning the title and is focusing on the Japan Open, which starts on September 22.

"Chinese Taipei is past now. I have already forgotten about it. It was a good experience, good exposure and boosted our confidence but Japan Open is a bigger tournament and a different tournament altogether and we are prepared for that," Jwala said.

Japan Open Super Series is the first tournament in which Jwala and Diju are competing after their Taiwan title win and she doesn't want to set any target for the event.

"I have never set any targets for myself. I don't believe in setting targets. We have been training hard and are well prepared for the tournament. I just want to perform consistently. So that even if we lose, we don't feel that we didn't play our best," Jwala said.

"We are playing a Thai pair in the first round and they are really good. They were in the top five earlier but of late they haven't played in the last couple of tournaments.

"We played them in the first Indian Open two years ago. We lost in the first round. I know things are different now but they are very experienced and we cannot take them lightly. For me, it is the first round which matters now," Jwala said.

Her partner V Diju, however, said he is hoping for at least a semi-final appearance.

"I am aiming to reach atleast the semifinals," Diju said. "Winning the Chinese Taipei title has helped improve my confidence level. I am not under any pressure and I am enjoying my game now," he added.

After Japan Open, Jwala and Diju will play in the Danish Open, French Open in the European circuit and will also feature in the Hong Kong and China Open later in the year.

This would be followed by the all-important World Super Series Masters in December, if they can qualify for the event by being in the world top eight.

Jwala will also combine with Ashwini Poppanna in the women's doubles event in the Japan Open and the 26-year-old said she was confident of a good show.

"Me and Ashwini have been performing consistently. We reached the quarter-finals in Taiwan and I'm confident we will be performing well in Japan too. I am not thinking of any ranking points at the moment. The focus is on improving our performance with each tournament," she said.

Jwala-Diju pair pulls out of Macau Open

Hyderabad, Aug 16 India's mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju pulled out of the Macau Open after the latter picked up a back injury during their lost quarterfinal match in the World Badminton Championship at the Gachibowli stadium here.

The world number eight pair was seeded second in the tournament which starts on Wednesday at Macau city but the decided to skip the tournament and would next play in the Chinese Taipei Gold Grand Prix starting August 25.

"I felt a little stiffness in my back during our last match, so I decided to skip the Macau Open and take some rest so that we can play in the Chinese Taipei. It is not serious, its just an old pain. I'm okay and we would leave for Chinese Taipei next Sunday," Diju told PTI. - (Agencies)

'Super' Dan completes hat-trick, China sweeps World C'ship

Hyderabad: Defending champion Lin Dan of China completed a hat-trick of titles while compatriot Lan Lu clinched her maiden gold medal as the Asian superpower swept the World Badminton Championship at the Gachibowli stadium here today.

In an all-Chinese men's singles final, world number five and Olympic champion Lin outplayed second ranked Chen 21-18 21-16 in a battle that lasted for 46 minutes, while seventh seed Lu prevailed over fifth seed Xingfang Xie 23-21 21-12 in 38 minutes.

China also won the men's and women's double titles.

Eighth seeds Yawen Zhang and Tingting Zhao outlasted their compatriots and second seeds Shu Cheng and Yunlei Zhao 17-21 21-17 21-16 in the men's doubles final that lasted over an hour.

Later, fifth seeds Yun Cai and Haifeng Fu beat fourth seeded Korean pair of Jae Sung Jung and Yong Dae Lee 21-18 16-21 28-26 in an edge-of-the-seat women's doubles final in 75 minutes.

However, the Danish combination of Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Rytter Juhl prevented a clean sweep by China when they pulled off the biggest victory of their career beating defending champion and second seeded Indonesian pair of Nova Widianto and Liliyana Natsir in straight games.

Seventh seeded Thomas-Kamilla pair brushed aside their opponents 21-13 21-17 in 38 minutes.

Fifth seed Lin rode on his lightening smashes and long rallies while Chen committed a series of unforced errors.

Lin pushed Chen into the backfoot after an initial neck and neck competition at 6-6. The left handed Lin soon opened up a five point lead at 11-6 as Chen was left doing the catch up act.

The second game was no different as Lin again moved ahead from the start. Chen bounced back to take the lead at 6-5 but a flurry of unforced errors cooked his goose.
Lin drew parity at 9-9 and then after moving together till 14-14, he surged ahead with two power-packed smashes and soon sealed the match.

"This is the first time I am here in India and it has been a great experience. I am happy to win the title," Lin said after the match.

"I am no genius, I just worked hard like my other teammates and I believe all my teammates can win the title as they work hard too," he added.

Asked if he is aiming gold in the London Olympics, Lin said, "That's is too far. For the moment I just want to play better in all the tournaments of this year."

Lin had won the World Championship in 2006 and 2007, apart from winning four All England titles (2004, 2006, 2007, 2009) and Beijing Olympics gold medal.

He helped China win three consecutive Thomas Cup championships in 2004, 2006 and 2008 and has also been a major contributor to Chinese teams which won the Sudirman Cup in 2005, 2007 and 2009.

Chen, who was playing his first world championship final, said he wasn't disappointed as his country has won the gold and that matters the most.

"There is no point to be disappointed as the title will go to China's pocket," he said.

Asked about the match, Chen said, "Before the match, I felt I had a chance but he (Lin) is much more experienced than me. He has played in three world championships now. For me, it is my first world championship and I know with time I will play better in future."

"I was nervous before the match and Lin seized more opportunities in crucial moments, which I couldn't," he added.

Asked what did the coach tell him before the match, Chen said, "Nothing specific, just said go and have fun."

In the women's singles final, Lu turned the table against the 2005 and 2006 world champion Xingfang to win her maiden world championship title.

Lu relied long rallies and strong smashes, and didn't allow her rival to come back into the game after winning a see-saw first game.

In the second game, Lu led from the start. Although Xingfang tried to come back, equalling at 9-9, she soon ran out of steam as Lu kept the momentum going.

"I finished the long rallies quickly and smashed hard and didn't give her a chance to come back. The first game was a really tough game but I didn't expect the second game to be so easy," Lu said after the match.

Asked if she fancies to be the number one, Lu said, "May be some day I will but I have to practice harder and win more such tournaments."

Xingfang said he was feeling a lack of energy after playing so many tough matches.
"I was feeling a lack of energy after playing some tough matches. After the Olympics, I feel with so many young Chinese players coming up, the drive is not that great," she said.

Thomas and Kamilli, who broke the Asian hegemony in the tournament, said it was the biggest day of their career and they were pleasantly shocked after the win.

"It's an amazing feeling. I am still shaking with the excitement. It got to be the biggest day of our career," Thomas said.

"I can now imagine what it means to be a world champion," he added.

Kamilla said this win will help Europeans to take the game to a new height.

"It is a great feeling. I hope this will inspire a lot of people in Denmark and Europe to take the game," she said.

'Super Dan' leads China's domination in World championship

Amit Kumar Das
Hyderabad, Aug 15 (PTI) Defending champion Lin Dan reached the finals after outlasting Sony Dwi Kuncoro in a thrilling three-game match as China's domination continued in the World Badminton championship at the Gachobowli stadium here today.
The World number five prevailed 21-14 13-21 21-15 over the sixth seed Indonesian in an edge-of-the-seat match that last more than an hour.
It will be an all chinese final in the men's and women's singles as World number two Chen Jin notched up an easy 21-16 21-6 victory over World number four Taufik Hidayat in a 39 minutes match.
In the women's singles too, China's Lu Lan beat compatriot Wang Lin to set up a summit clash with teammate Xingfang Xie tomorrow.
Lan, a bronze medalist at the World Championships in Kuala Lumpur, outgunned Wang 21-18 21-19 in 47 minutes, while 2005 and 2006 World champion Xingfang took just 33 minutes to dispatch Pi of France 21-18 21-8 in the semifinals today.
In a match that saw fortunes fluctuate too often, Sony made a remarkable comeback after a game down and snatched the second game but still couldn't make it to the finals as Lin had the last laugh.
"Sony had a good tournament. He played very patiently yesterday and today also he kept his patience and played with maturity. He did not allow me to finish off the game quickly," said Lin, who had defeated Sony in the finals of 2007 World championship.
"I am very relaxed after the Olympics and I am not thinking about winning or losing. It doesn't matter who wins tomorrow because we are both Chinese. The thing that matters most is that our country is assured of a gold, which shows the dominance of China in badminton," he added.
"I tried to slow the game down but he was quick with his strokes. He is special. You can slow down and have patience but you will still need that killer stroke to beat him," Sony said.
"My energy level was down today after playing the last few matches but I was not afraid," he added.
In the other match, fourth seed Taufik proved no match against second ranked Chen as the Chinese retrieved all his smashes and flicked in hard.
In the first game, Taufik had opened up a 4-0 lead but Chen soon drew parity and scrapped past him and although the Indonesian clawed back at 14-all, the Chinese moved ahead and pocketed the game comfortably.
Charged up by the first game win, Chen didn't give any chance to his rival and after taking a 8-0 lead went for the kill straight away as Taufik's crumbled under pressure.
"I didn't know how to play against him," Taufik said.
"I tried whatever I could. I smashes, played net dribbles but he was too good," he added.
"But he is 23 and I am 28. He is fitter and younger. If I was young like him, I would have beaten him surely," he quipped.
Chen said he didn't allow Taufik to play freely and kept him away from the nets.
"I didn't give him chance to play at the nets and he was a little slow today, may be because of the tougher matches that he played in the tournament so far but I respect him a lot," he said.
The women's doubles final will also be an all Chinese affair after eighth seed Chinese pair of Yawen Zhang and Tingting Zhao beat fifth seed teammates Jing Du and Yang YU 24-22 18-21 21-8 in a 68 minutes match to face off with compatriots second seed Shu Cheng and Yunlei Zhao.
Cheng-Zhao beat sixth seeded combo of Jin Ma and Xiaoli Wang 21-16 21-12 in a 37-minute semifinal.
However, in the mixed doubles, Seventh seed Dane mixed doubles pair of Thomas Laybourne and Kamilla Rytter Juhl scripted history reaching their first world championship final today beating top seed Korean Yong Dae Lee and Hyo Jung Lee 18-21 21-9 21-18 in an hour match.
But their compatriots sixth seeded combo of Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen could not emulate them and fell 18-21 21-14 18-21 to second seed Indonesian pair of Nova Widianto and Liliyana Natsir in 59 minutes.
After the match, Kamilla said she can't believe that they are in the finals and credited the win to the attacking game that they played all through out.
"I can't believe it, I am just so happy," Kamilla said. "I was feeling dizzy today but may be it worked as I was more calm."
"This is one of the biggest win. We beat the chinese yesterday and today the Korean. We kept on attacking and won the long rallies," she added.
Her partner Thomas said the fact that they have nothing to prove actually helped them.
"We were solid and made fewer mistakes. We knew they were the favourite and so didn't have any pressure," he said.
In the men's doubles, fifth seed Chinese Yun Cai and Haifeng FU saw off eighth seed Malaysian pair of Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif and and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari 18-21 24-22 21-15 in just under 60 minutes.
The Chinese pair will face off with fourth seed Korean combo of Jae Sung JUNG and Yong Dae Lee, who beat second seed Malaysian pair of Kien Keat Koo and Boon Heong Tan 16-21 21-14 22-20 in a see-saw battle of 53 minutes. PTI ATK

Thomas one step away from realising World C’ship title dream

Hyderabad: Denmark’s Thomas Laybourne had once bade adiue to badminton after losing interest in the game but now being close to fulfiling his world championship title dream along with his mixed doubles partner Kamilla Rytter Juhl, the shuttler feels he had taken the right decision of returning back to the sport.

Thomas and Kamilla today reached the finals of the mixed doubles event in the World Badminton Championship, beating top seed Korean pair of Yong Dae Lee and Hyo Jung Lee 18-21, 21-9, 21-18.

“I lost interest in badminton when I was 17 years old and so had stopped playing but I started playing again after a couple of years and today reaching the finals here, I feel that was the right decision,” Thomas said after the semifinal victory.

Returning to the court, however, was not easy and it was only in 2004 that Thomas, partnering Kamilla won his first big tournament
, the Dutch Open and then followed it up with the Danish national in 2005.

Thomas, who will touch 32 this September, said he wants to win the World Championship and an Olympic gold before retiring.

“I have these two goals in life and now that the world championship is a step away I would carry on till the London Olympics in 2012.”

“I know I am 31 but honestly I feel young and fresh. I want to train harder and make a last ditch at the London Olympics, after that may be I’ll stop,” he said.

The Dane duo also won the 2008 World Super Series Masters and was the finalist in the All England Championship in 2005.

Thomas, however, rued the absence of proper infrastructure for the game in Denmark.

“We don’t have proper facilites back home and we can train only for 2-3 hours which is not enough,” he said.

He felt the reason behind Asia’s domination in badminton is their early introduction to the game.

“We get education first and then we persue badminton and so it takes time to get mature and be at your best, where as in Asian countries like China and Malaysian, they start so early. It is a problem but may be its two different countries so things are different,” Thomas signed off.

Saina, Jwala-Diju crash out

Hyderabad, Aug 14 (PTI) Indian challenge ended in the World
Badminton Championship with ace shuttler Saina Nehwal and mixed
doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju crashing out of the tournament
after losing their respective matches here today.
Saina produced a gallant fight against second seed Lin Wang but
the better prepared Chinese made few mistakes and outlasted the Indian
22-20 21-19 a 39-minute battle to reach the semifinals where she meets
compatriot Lu Lan.
In the mixed doubles event, Jwala-Diju fell prey to defending
champions and second seeded Indonesian combo of Nova Widianto and
Liliyana Natsir 6-21 14-21 in just 27 minutes.
In a day marked by a series of upsets, top seeds Malaysian Lee
Chong Wei and Zhou Mi of Hong Kong also crashed out of the world
badminton championship after suffering contrasting defeats in the
men's and women's singles event.
World number one Lee failed to live upto the expectation as
Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro produced the biggest upset of the
tournament, dispatching the Malaysian 21-16 14-21 21-12 in an hour
hard-fought battle.
On the other hand, Chinese Xingfang Xie proved too could for the
world number one Zhou. She beat her 21 -15 21-18 in a match that
lasted for 47 minutes.
Among others in fray, eighth seed Hongyan Pi from france bounced
back from a game down to tame 11th seed German Juliane Schenk 15-21
21-15 21-19 in a match that lasted for more than an hour, while
Seventh seed Lan Lu stunned third seed Tine Rasmussen 21-15 21-13 in
just over an half an hour match.
In the men’s singles, Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia survived a
scare from Dane Jan O Jorgensen and beat him 21-19 21-19 in a
42-minute clash, while second seed Chinese Jin Chen beat 13th seed
Simon Santoso of Indonesia 21-10 21-13 in 43 minutes.
Fifth seed and defending champion Chinese Dan Lin also staved
off the challenege from third seed Peter Hoeg Gade 22-20 21-16 in
49-minute match.
Saina had a rusty start as she allowed Lin to open up a seven
point lead at 8-1 and even though the Hyderabadi drew parity with a
power-puffed smash at 11-11, she couldn’t keep the momentum till the
end.
The world number six took a different approach in the next game
and involved in more long rallies and smashed hard every time the
shuttle went up to secure a eight point lead at 9-1 but the Chinese
was better prepared and reeled off eight points at 10-2 to claw back
into the game and moved neck and neck till 19-19 before wrapping up
the match.
“She was better prepared today. She was defending well. I made a
few silly mistakes but I am happy with my performance. She played
better in the nets and involved in more tabs and pushes which shows
she was prepared,” Saina said.
“I reached the pre-quarters in 2007 and this time I have reached
quarters and I have beaten the top 10 players so I’m satisfied,” she
added.
Her coach Pullela Gopichand also lauded Saina’s effort
especially coming off from a chicken pox bout just 10 days before the
tournament.
“Saina played well, may be could have played better but I feel
she played with rhythm. Recovering from a chicken pox and playing so
well, I couldn’t have aske dfor any thing better,” Gopichand said.
Earlier in the day, Jwala-Diju squandered a three point lead at
9-6 to eventually lose the first game.
The second game was also a lost opportunity as after moving 5-5
initially, the Indian pair couldn’t keep the momentum and was left
doing the catch up act as the Indonesian played a very tactical game
to outplay the Indians.
“We played the way they wanted us to play, which was not cleaver
in any way. WE were playing close to their body and they were more
then comfortable,” Diju said.
“They dominated us completely. They defended our smashes well and
I feel I tried to hurry things up. I should have slowed down and
played long rallies. I lost my patience,” Jwala said.
Meanwhile, after crashing out of the tournament, Lee Chong wei
said he had no clue what went wrong in his game.
"I just couldn't play well today. I had pulled things back in
the second game but I
don't know what happened in the second game," Lee said.
"Sony is no ordinary player, he has beaten me before and he raised his
bar today. I wasn't under any pressure nor I had any problem with the
conditions," he added.
Sony, on the other hand, said he kept attacking and played a brave match
against his rival which paid dividends at the end.
"I have beaten this guy before. I didn't worry before the match. In the
first game, I played a brave match. My stretegy was to attack. I knew that if
I slowed down the game, Lee would beat me. I played smart whenever I got a
chance I attack.
"In the second game, I was mentally down and that's why i lost. I guess
my biggest opponent is me myself," he said.
In the women’s singles, Xingfang felt it was patience and
keeping her cool in crucial moments was the key of her success.
"It was a very close match even though the scoreline might suggest
otherwise. I was more patient then Zhou especially in the second game when we
both were 18-all, I held my nerves and didn't commit any mistake," Xingfang
said.
World number eight Hongyan was also very happy to reach her
maiden world championship quarters and said it was her lucky place.
“I can’t explain how happy I am today,” she said.
“I guess this place is lucky for me,” said Hongyan, won the
Indian Open in March here.
“I was confident but she played really well and kept a high
tempo. I had to be more tactical as she was changing her game too
often. She started off well but I kept teklling myself that I have to
belief in myself. It was a high pressure game,” she said.
But the World number eight said she was not expecting Juliane in
the quarters.
“I was not expecting her but after she won yesterday I had to
change my mind and my game plan,” she said. PTI ATK

Bitter-sweet feeling for Jorgensen

Hyderabad, Aug 14 (PTI) A controversial call by the line umpire saw Dane shuttler Jon O Jorgensen resign in despair as he saw the match slip out of his fingers against Indonesian Taufik Hidayat and the world number 20 says it has left him with a bitter-sweet feeling.
Leading at 20-19 in the second game, Taufik smashed a Jorgensen regulation stroke which according to the Dane had landed outside the line but the line umpire decided against him.
"I saw the shuttle drop outside but the line umpire felt it was inside. I spoke to the chair umpire after the match. I guess, this is something which I can't help. If I would have got the point, may be things could have been different," Jorgensen said.
"It is a better sweat feeling for me because I know I had my chances but I tried my best. He is more experienced and played some great shots. I managed to give him a good fight but surely he was the better one," he added.
The duo, however, didn't make any fuss of it and embraced each other smiling at the confusion, showing tremendous sportsmanship.
Asked about the incident, Taufik said, "Well, I said sorry to him because it wasn't in my hand. If the umpire says its outside I am ready to play but since he judged it was inside, I win."
Jorgensen said he was satisfied with his performance.
"I am satisfied with my game. I was aware with his skills. I have played against him before. In the Japan Open last year, I lost to him.," he said.
Taufik said it was a difficult game but he was always confident of his skills.
"It was a hard game. I was confident event though I was lagging behind 15-19 in the first game but I had things under control. I knew I can win from here and I just need to keep my cool," he said.
"I have always said that I was lucky to be in the second half where it is a little bit easy as I don't need to play Lee CHong Wei or Lin Dan but the guy really played well," he added. PTI ATK

Top seeds Lee Chong Wei and Zhou Mi crash out

Hyderabad, Aug 14 (PTI) In a day marked by a series upsets, top seeds
Malaysian Lee Chong Wei and Zhou Mi of Hong Kong crashed out of the world
badminton championship after suffering contrasting defeats in the men's and
women's singles event here today.
World number one Lee failed to live upto the expectation as Indonesian
Sony Dwi Kuncoro produced the biggest upset of the tournament, dispatching
the Malaysian 21-16 14-21 21-12 in an hour hard-fought battle.
"I just couldn't play well today. I had pulled things back in the second game but I don't know what happened in the second game," Lee said.
"Sony is no ordinary player, he has beaten me before and he raised his bar today. I wasn't under any pressure nor I had any problem with the conditions," he added.
Sony, on the other hand, said he kept attacking and played a brave match
against his rival which paid dividends at the end.
"I have beaten this guy before. I didn't worry before the match. In the first game, I played a brave match. My stretegy was to attack. I knew that if I slowed down the game, Lee would beat me. I played smart whenever I got a chance I attack.
"In the second game, I was mentally down and that's why i lost. I guess
my biggest opponent is me myself," he said.
While, Sony scripted Lee's downfall, in the women's singles Chinese
Xingfang Xie proved too could for the world number one Zhou. She beat her 21
-15 21-18 in a match that lasted for 47 minutes.
"It was a very close match even though the scoreline might suggest
otherwise. I was more patient then Zhou especially in the second game when we
both were 18-all, I held my nerves and didn't commit any mistake," Xingfang
said after the match. PTI ATK

Malaysian coach stable, test report expected on Thursday: BWF

HYDERABAD: A day after swine flu scare has hit the on-going World badminton Championship here, the game's apex body (BWF) on Wednesday said the
Malaysian coach, who was admitted in a hospital with suspected H1N1 symptoms, was in a stable condition and his test results are expected on Thursday.

"The coach is in a better condition now and he had no fever for the last 36 hours, which is a good indication as it suggests that he doesn't have the H1N1 virus," BWF chief operating officer Thomas Lund said.

"The coaches who were in close contact with the victim also doesn't have any symptoms," he said.

A swine flu scare has rocked the World championship on Tuesday after a Malaysian coach, whose name was not disclosed on request, was admitted to a city hospital with symptoms of the deadly disease.

The news spread like a wild fire and by the time the day was over there were rumours of similar cases emerging, the most potent of which was of a Thailand player visiting the hospital with fever.

Consultant and Head of the Department of Emergency Medicine, Apollo Hospital Dr Mahesh Joshi dismissed the reports.

"No player, coach or any official has any symptoms of swine flu and neither anyone has been sent to the hospital," Dr Joshi said.

"However, we are not lowering our guard and keeping up the medical screening and taking all precautions."

Ticket sales increase at BWC with Saina in action

Hyderabad, Aug 12 (PTI) After two days of lukewarm response, spectators today turned out in large numbers at the World Badminton Championship as Indian ace Saina Nehwal was in action for the first time in the event at the Gachibowli stadium here. With daily tickets priced at lower then the seasoned ones, people made a beeline to the only ticket counter outside Gate two of the stadium.

"After two days of slow response, today we sold more than 300 tickets," said K Mohan Menon, an official of ticket counter.com, which is handling the sale of tickets here.

However, this was not the case on the last two days as the authorities found it difficult to sell tickets. BAI president V K Verma feels the stadium''s distance from the main city and negative media reports about terror and swine flu was the reason of the low turn out.

"I know the response was low for the last two days and I feel there are two reasons. One, the distance of the venue and the other negative media reports in the wake of false terror and swine flu scare," Verma said.

"I hope with Saina playing well, people will turn up more in the next days," he added. Before the tournament the seasoned tickets via online booking were priced Rs 9,500 (Gold Class), Rs 6,000 (Silver) and Rs 4,800 (Bronze), which were later changed to just Rs 3,500 (Deluxe Class) and Rs 2,500 (Standard).

Saina, Chetan advance to prequarters in WBC

Hyderabad: Ace shuttlers Saina Nehwal and Chetan Anand notched up easy wins but wild card entrant P Kashyap fell by the wayside as India rounded off a mixed day at the World Badminton Championships at Gachibowli stadium here today.


Sixth seed Saina didn't show any sign of fatigue after recovering from a recent bout of chicken pox and outplayed Russian Anastasia Prokopenko 21-10 21-17 in just 27 minutes to advance to the pre quarterfinals.

She will next face Bulgarian Petya Nedelcheva, who beat Singapore's Aiying Xing 26-24 19-21 21-6.

In men's singles, 15th seed Chetan steamrolled Bulgarian Stilian Makarski 21-9 21-17 in a 28-minute match to set up a third round clash with sixth seed Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia tomorrow. Sony beat Poland's Przemyslaw Wacha 21-12 21-13.

Kashyap created a flutter by winning the first game against World number two Jin Chen but the Indian was outdone by the Chinese laster on and went down 21-14 10-21 7-21 in a 53-minute encounter.

In the men's doubles event, the Indian pair of Akshay Dewalkar and Jishnu Sanyal also squandered a game's lead to go down 21-17 13-21 18-21 against 16th seed Vitalij Durkin and Alexandr Nikolaenko of Russia in 40 minutes.

Women's doubles combo of Aparna Balan and Shruti Kurian were shown the door by the second seeded Chinese pair of Shu Cheng and Yunlei Zhao 21-16 21-16 in an half an hour battle.

Among others in fray, top seed Mi Zhou of Hong Kong beat Kiwi Michelle Chan Ky 21-11 21-15, while men's number one seed Chong Wei Lee of Malaysia beat Ola Fagbemi of Nigeria 21-11 21-14.

Mercurial world number four Taufik Hidayat defeated Mathieu Lo Ying Ping 21-17 21-15 in the men's singles. Third seed Dane Peter Hoeg Gade also reached the third round beating Japanese Sho Sasaki 21-11 21-12 in another match.

Sixth seed Saina, who got a bye in the first round, started her campaign aggressively and opened up a lead of 12-8. She then smashed her way to pocket the first game.

However, in the next game, she had to struggle as a change in court made her vulnerable to the slow drift.

In a battle of nerves, the two rivals went neck and neck from 5-5 to 14-14 but after the fierce see-saw battle, it was the Hyderabadi who had the last laugh.

"In the first game, the drift was fast so I played a more attacking game and involved in more smashes. She couldn't pick up those but in the same game I was on the other side, so knowing the wind I involved in some long rallies," Saina told reporters.

"I have played her for the first time but yesterday I saw her play. She has some good drives. I was confident of myself and I am happy that I started my tournament on the right note," she added.

Bring on the Pressure: Jwala

HYDERABAD: The higher the pressure, the better player she is, feels Jwala Gutta. The mixed doubles player says she actually commits lesser mistakes
when she is under pressure.

"I don't feel pressure. I have always played under pressure because I have always played for my team in doubles and mixed doubles and it was always like if the doubles pair win then the team wins.

"And love playing under pressure because it makes me more alert and focused. Somehow I always make very few mistake when I am under pressure," Jwala says.

One of India's medal prospect at the World Badminton championhips, the Jwala and V Diju pair has got a bye in the first round and a walkover in the second round, which means they start their tournament on Thursday in the pre-quarters and the seven-time National Doubles Champion says she just can't wait to get on the court.

"I just can't get wait anymore. I'm losing the feeling it seems," she says.

"But it would be tough match. They are the 12th seed. We played this polish pair before, may be four years ago, well a lot has changed in this years, isn't it?" she quips.

World number eight Jwala-Diju will take on Robert Mateusiak and Nadiezda Kostiuczyk in the third round on Thursday and the Hyderabadi shuttler says she has worked a lot on her game in the run up to the tournament.

"My back hand side I think I am slower, I was working on it and I have improved and my defense," she says.

Asked about her chemistry with Diju, Jwala says it is the great level of communication and faith on each other which gets reflected on the court.

"Off the court we are good friends. I listen to him, he even shouts at me on the court and I know that he tells me for my own good and for our game and I tell him and he listen so I have this brilliant communication which is so important," says the Indian Open finalist.

"Even if I fall in the court, I know he would be there covering me so we have this confidence on each other."

But ask her who is the prankster of the two, Jwala keeps the rights for herself. "Of course, I am the mischievous of the two. I am the more outspoken. I keep cracking jokes a lot," she says.

The duo won the Bitburger Open and the Bulgarian open last year.

Asked about her women's doubles partner Ashwini Poppanna, Jwala says she is a good attacking player and we are gelling up well.

"We played some super series. She is a junior player and she listens what I say as I have more experience. She hits really hard. We are gelling very well," she concludes.

Coach suspected with H1N1 infection quarantined: BWF

Hyderabad: The Badminton World Federation today admitted that a Malaysian coach with suspected symptoms of H1N1 virus was quarantined but said initial examination ruled out swine flu and a confirmed report would be available within the next two days.


The governing body was tight-lipped about the identity of the victim but disclosed he has been put under strict surveillance in Andhra Pradesh Chest Hospital here.

"The coach has reported fever and sore throat and so as a precautionary measure he was sent to a city hospital and initial investigation suggested there is no connection with the H1N1 virus," BWF COO Thomas Lund told reporters here.

"He is fine and doesn't have fever now. He has improved but we don't want to take chances and so he has been kept under examination and a confirmed report will come out within 48 hours," Lund said.

Asked about the identity of the coach, Lund said "because it's not proved yet, we would not like to mention his name as it can affect the victim's family".

Malaysia have arrived with separate coaches for singles and doubles team.

Consultant and Head of Department of Emergency Medicine, Apollo hospital Dr Mahesh Joshi said the chance of his contracting H1N1 virus infection is very minimum.

"The degree of suspicion that he has the virus is very low but I feel we should rather completely rule it out than sitting on it and so the coach has been put under survellience," Joshi said.

"To ensure 100 per cent safety of the players and officials, the three coaches who were staying in the same room with the victim were isolated from the rest and were put under examination. Their temperature would be monitored every two hours," he said.

The Gachibowli stadium turned almost into a medical unit with police officials, sponsors and even some journalist wearing masks fearing a possible contact with the virus.

With the matches in full swing, a high turn around of spectators are expected but Thomas said there won't be any screening of the public as of now.

"Spectators won't be screened as of now as it is not confirmed whether it is swine flu or not. Moreover, there is no way the players and officials can be contacted with the general people," Thomas said.

Thomas said there was a team managers' meeting were the various officials of the respective squads were informed of the development and there hasn't been any concern shown by any team.

Badminton Association of India President V K verma also assured that there is adequate arrangement to deal with any medical contingency.

Kashyap keeps India in hunt at World championship

Wildcard entrant P Kashyap notched up an easy win over Iranian Ali Shahhosseini to keep the tri-colour fluttering as India had a mixed day in the World Badminton Championship at the Gachibowli stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

Kashyap smashed his way to a 21-9 21-13 win over Ali but it turned out to be a disappointing day for compatriot Arvind Bhat [ Images ].

Bhat played his heart out before going down 14-21 21-19 22-24 to ninth seed Yu Hsing Hsieh of Chinese Taipei in an edge-of-the-seat first round match that lasted more than an hour.

It was also curtains for Sayale Gokhale in women's singles after the Indian lost 15-21 14-21 to Jie Yao of the Netherlands.

India's men's doubles pair of Tarun Kona and Arun Vishnu [ Images ] were also shown the door by 13th seed Chinese Taipei duo of Hung Ling Chen and Yu Lang Lin. The Indians lost 12-21 14-21 in just 21 minutes.

However, Akshay Dewalkar and Jishnu Sanyal had reasons to rejoice after they got a walkover from Thai pair Patipat Chalardchaleam and Nuttaphon Narkthong.

With the English team pulling out, Indian mixed doubles pair of V Diju and Jwala Gutta [ Images ] also got a walkover from Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork and the local favourites would next take on 12th seed Polish pair of Robert Mateusiak and Nadiezda Kostiuczyk in the third round on Wednesday.

Among the top players in fray, world number four Indonesian Taufik Hidayat steamrolled Swiss Christian Boesiger 21-14 21-14 in 27 minutes, while 12th seed Malaysian Choong Hann Wong spanked Ville Lang of Finland 21-7 21-10 in 28 minutes.

Seven seed Chinese Lan Lu notched up an easy win over Larisa Griga of Ukraine 21-16 21-5 in the women's singles.

However, seventh seed Dane Joachim Persson suffered to a stunning 21-16 14-21 13-21 defeat against Japanese Kenichi Tago in a match that lasted 57 minutes.

Kashyap didn't give an inch away and opened a 10-3 lead to make Ali run all over the court before sealing the game in style.

In the second game, Ali tried to come back and played some good shots but it was the Indian who had the last laugh.

"It was an easy match but I am satisfied with my performance. The drift was faster from the other end but is okay, I will get used to it. It is just a build up the big second round match," said Kashyap, who had a mild cough and cold yesterday.

Earlier in the day, Arvind Bhat showed sparks of brilliance but the Bangalorean lost his gallant fight against ninth seed Yu Hsing Hsieh of Chinese Taipei.

Bhat couldn't negotiate the power-packed smashes of his rival and made some unforced errors to see the first game slip out of his hand.

The Indian, who lost to Hsing twice before, bounced back in the second game and opened up a lead of 5-1 and then extended it to 11-5 but Hsing clawed back at 19-17 before Arvind sealed the game with a cross-court smash at 21-19.

Arvind gave the Taiwanese a dose of his own medicine as he produced some powerful smashes and soft drops to nail his rival.

At 1-1, the third game turned to be a see-saw affair as both the shuttler fought it tooth and nail.

Hsing drew first blood and Arvind was left to do the catch up act but the Bangalorean bounced back from 17-20, saving three match points and leveled at 20-20 and moved 21-21, 22-22 before another unforced error put paid to hopes.

"I deserved to win today but I didn't. He has some fast smashes up his sleeve but he is beatable," Bhat later said.

"I committed some unforced errors. It happened all through out my career but I'll bounce back," he said.

"The other side of the court was playing well and I wanted to get at least 8-11 in the last game before changing side. I played well but may be at the last end, I played safe and also had no luck. I should have tightened my defense," he added.

Players worried but not panicking after swine flu scare

HYDERABAD: The anxiety shows but the players and officials at the World Badminton Championship have not pressed the panic button yet after a
Malaysian coach was diagnosed with suspected symptoms of swine flu.

World number four Indonesian Taufik Hidayat looked worried after what he saw on television and said he was apprehensive.

"It is scary. I have seen all that on TV that the Malaysian coach has been admitted with suspected swine flu," said the Indonesian shuttler.

World number three Dane Peter Gade, however, looked unperturbed and said it was not an India-specific issue.

"It is a worldwide things. I can happen anywhere. It has nothing to do specifically with India. We travel a lot and we know what precaution to take and we have been informed about it," he said.

Norwegian shuttler Steinar Klausen was not unduly worried either.

"We keep on travelling a lot and even at the airport we were told about it, so we are aware about it," he said.

Lithuania coach Juozas Spelveris echoed a similar view and said it would be premature to panic.

"We have been treated well by India so far. I don't have any concern. This is not a confirmed case and so there is no need to panic about anything," he said.

The participants, however, are not taking chance and most were seen wearing white-green masks.

As players started pouring in for their respective matches, they passed through metal detectors which were guarded by officials wearing masks for the first time in the tournament.

Sponsors, officials and even many camerapersons could be spotted with the masks.

One of the Indonesian shuttler also had her mask on. "It is important to take precautions in such times. Prevention is always better than cure," she said.

Taufik wants title as his birthday gift

Hyderabad, Aug 11 (PTI) Taufik Hidayat rates Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan as the top contenders but the Indonesian wants to win the ongoing World Badminton Championship to give himself a perfect birthday gift. The 2005 world championship said he was bored with the Championship since it became an annual event Taufik, who turned 28 yesterday, said winning the title this time is his birthday wish.

"Lee and Dan are the two best players and they would be the top contenders for the title but I would like to win it too. It''s my birthday wish," he said.

"But I am bored by it as it happens every year. It is just like a Super Series," he added.

The 2004 Olympic champion said he was happy that he is in the second half of the draw. "I''m happy with the draw.

I feel I am lucky to be in the second half which is relatively easier," he said. The Indian Open champion said he played with a relaxed mind today and tried to get used to the court.

"I was quite relaxed today. I don''t know what would happen tomorrow.

It was the first round and I tried to acclimatised to the conditions here," he said. Asked about drift, Taufik said, "In the central court where I played it was okay but I don''t know about the rest of the courts.

Saina Nehwal to promote Deccan Chargers

Hyderabad: Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal will promote Indian Premier League side Deccan Chargers after she was on Saturday made brand ambassador of the media group which owns the team.

The 20-year-old Hyderabadi signed a three-year deal with Deccan Chronicle at a glittering function here.

"After cricket it is badminton that has landed such a big brand and It is a dream from me. It gives me a lot of encouragement and motivates me further to go and try to win the World Championship for my country," Saina said after signing the contract.

Asked what she thought of a badminton star endorsing cricket for the first time, Saina said, "It is good for the game. It shows that finally badminton has come of age and we are being recognised for our efforts."

"A lot of time many players go through financial crisis and if efforts like this are made, I feel more players can play freely and be motivated to play better," she added.

Saina said although she doesn't follow cricket much but Sachin Tendulkar remains her favourite and among the Deccan Chargers, it is captain of the side Adam Gilchrist.

Saina's coach Pullela Gopichand, who was also present on the occasion, said it was a good development for Indian badminton.

"We have a long association with Deccan chargers and so when this proposal came across, we thought it was a great opportunity for Saina. She has a busy schedule so maybe she won't be able to be there all the time but when she has time, she will promote the team," Gopichand said.

Deccan Chronicle also ventured into sports personality management by signing Saina.

Saina was also handed the first premier membership card for the Deccan Chargers, which was announced here.

..................................................................
Rupesh-Sanave look to WBC to compensate for Olympic miss



Hyderabad: They missed out of the chance to compete in Beijing Olympics and Indian men’s doubles pair of Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas say they want to compensate for it by doing well in the the World Championships and winning a medal in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Winner of New Zealand Open Grand Prix and runners-up at Australian Open, Rupesh and Thomas are brimming with confidence and they reckon if they play to their potential and without any pressure they can do well in the Championships.

“The recent results gave us lot of confidence. We played a Malaysian and an Indonesian pair and I hope our good form continues into the world championship. We have a tough draw, as we have to take on world number 12 Japanese pair in our first match,” Thomas told reporters.

“We missed out of a chance to play in Beijing Olympics as we couldn’t improve our ranking as we were not participating in enough tournaments then unlike now. But we have 2010 Commonwealth Games and our aim is to win a medal there.”


“Earlier, there was not enough exposure for the doubles team but things have changed now. There has been more exposure now even junior players are also being sent for tournaments outside with the 2010 Commonwealth Games round the corner. We have now specialised Indonesian coaches,” he added.

The top seeds in men’s doubles, Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan, of Indonesia had withdrawn from the Championships, which might seem to make things easier but that doesn’t bother Thomas.

“Even though the top players pulled out, it doesn’t matter because all are playing very good and to reach pre-quarters we have to first beat the Japanese pair and then the Koreans to whom we had lost earlier,” he said.

“Even against the top seeds we were confident as we have met them twice in Doha Asian Games and lost very close games.”

Sanave-Rupesh combine had a successful 2008, with a title win at the Czech International, a final at the Dutch Open, and a semifinal at the Bulgarian Grand Prix and they don’t want to buckle under pressure here.

“We are playing in India. There would be pressure because there would be people, media, all behind us but if we play with confidence and without tension we can fair well,” Thomas said.

He said the decision to participate in New Zealand and Australian Open just before the World Championships was their own and it really paid off.

Arch-rivals Lee, Lin likely to meet in semifinals

Hyderabad: One of the most famous rivalries in badminton between top seed Malaysian Lee Chong Wei and fifth ranked Chinese Lin Dan might be reignited once again, as the two are likely to lock horns in the semifinal of the World Championship here.

Lee will kick off his title campaign against German Dieter Domke, while the Lin will clash with Isreali Misha Zilberman today.

"Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei are the two best players in the world. It is a special treat to watch both of them fight. If they meet in this tournament and Lin doesn't play true to his potential then Lee will have a chance," Chinese Coach Li Younbo said.


Lee and Lin always had a tough time getting across each other. The two clashed recently in the Swiss Open and Sudhirman Cup with each winning one.

"We have played in the Swiss Open and Sudhirman Cup and it is like 50-50. I am mentally prepared about meeting him," says Lee, who won the Malaysian Super Series and Indonesian Super Series titles recently.

"But he is a good fighter," he adds.

Lee won the Swiss Open in Basel defeating Lin in straight sets early this year and in May, although Lee helped Malaysia reach the semi-finals of the Sudirman Cup, his unbeaten record in the tournament was blown away by Lin.

Such is the frenzy among people here that they don't want to spare a chance to see these both the titans clash.

A group of Chinese students studying in Osmania University is waiting anxiously to have a glimpse of their favourite star Lin.

"We want to see Lin play. He is our hero," says Li Mao, who studies BCA here.

Players like Saina can break Chinese stranglehold: Peter Gade

World number three Peter Gade considers Indian ace Saina Nehwal as one of the most talented shuttlers around and believes badminton needs players like her to break the Chinese stranglehold.

"Saina has a good game. She is immensely talented, may be better than some of the Chinese shuttlers and my advice to her would be to just stay away from any injury and keep up the good work," he said.

"We need more and more young players like Saina to come up so that we can break the Chinese stranglehold," he added. Talking about men's event in the ongoing World Championship, Gade considers Lin Dan of China as his toughest opponent but reckons he can beat him on his day.

"Dan is the toughest opponent. Both Lee Chong Wei and he are the best players at the moment but I feel I can beat Dan on my given day. I have defeated Lee in Korea Open and so there is no reason why I cannot beat Dan," he said.

Gade also said although he didn't mind having the world championship annually, it should have been a biennial even considering the tight schedule.

"It is a tough schedule and I feel the BWF (Badminton World Federation) could have considered doing it biennially. But it is still important, it is still the most important medal after the Olympics for any player," Gade said.

Asked if there is any security concern after England pulled out of the tournament because of the terror threat, Gade said, "Risk can be anywhere in the world and it is a shame that England had to go back home. Honestly speaking, newspaper reports did made some players worried but I am confident with the way India has ensured our safety."

Gade gave a glimpse of his form today as he took less than half an hour to beat Valeriy Atrashchenkov of Ukraine 21-11, 21-16.

"I had a good match. There was drift in the air but its okay. I am happy with the conditions and lighting arrangement but I had didn't have the best feeling about the back court. I hope next time it would be fine," said Gade, who has 16 Grand Prix titles under his belt.

Chinese coach praises Saina

Hyderabad: Saina Nehwal's meteoric rise has found her a new admirer in Chinese Coach Li Yongbo, who feels the Indian badminton ace is following on the footsteps of the legendary Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand.

"Saina has kept the Indian tradition alive of coming up with such wonderful players like Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand," Yongbo said.

"I have seen Saina play for the last two-three years and she is a very gifted player. She has won the Indonesian Open and I am sure she will do well in the World Championship," he added.


In his playing days, Yongbo -- partnering Tian Bingyi -- captured the World Championships in 1987 and 1989, which was then a biennial event.

Now a head coach, Yongbo felt the World Championship should have remained a biennial event as making it annual has reduced its relevance.

"WBC is now an annual event, it is not like Olympics or Asian Games which comes after a gap of four years. So, it is losing its importance. It has become like a super series. If it happens quadrennially the motivation is greater," said the Barcelona Olympics bronze medallist in men's doubles.

The tournament started in 1977 and was held once every three years until 1983. Starting 1985, the tournament became biennial until 2005. From 2006, the tournament was made an annual event on the BWF calendar.

Asked about China's prospect in the world championship, Yongbo said, "China has a proven record and so everybody expects the country to win but for that the youngsters and seniors have to play to their potential."

English pullout unfortunate, no threat to World C'ship: BWF

Amit Kumar Das

Hyderabad, Aug 9 Describing England's last-minute pullout from the World Badminton Championship as unfortunate, Badminton World Federation today insisted that there is no specific threat to the mega-event starting here tomorrow.

BWF Chief Operating Officer (COO) Thomas Lund said he tried convincing the English team about the security situation but it had already decided to pull out by then.

"There is no specific threat to championship from anywhere. But of course the English team felt otherwise. It is unfortunate but we should respect their decision," Lund told reporters here.

"We had a discussion about the news but we didn't get the chance to discuss and convince them about the development because by the time we reached them, they had already decided to withdraw," he revealed.

England today pulled out of the event, citing specific security threats from terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba.

World title is the main target: Lee

Amit Kumar Das

Hyderabad, Aug 9 (PTI) He tops the rankings but a world Championship title still eludes Malaysian shuttler Lee Chong Wei, who is hoping to break the jinx this time by not letting the pressure bog him down.

The top seed said not winning the World Championship till now still hurts him.

"It would be the main target this year but I don't want to think about that and put pressure on myself," Lee said when asked if missing the world championship still hurts.

"I am just concentrating on myself. My game has been good so far, the form is also fine now," said the Beijing Olympics silver medallist.

Lee, who won the Malaysian Super Series and Indonesian Super Series titles recently, said he doesn't want to look too far and take the tournament round by round.

"I can try my best.

Players, coaches satisfied with security measures

Hyderabad, Aug 10 (PTI) A day after England pulled out of the World Badminton Championships, foreign players and coaches said they were satisfied with the security arrangements for the elite event here and happy with the level of safety. World number three Dane Peter Gade said although he was confident of the BWF''s security arrangements it was a shame that the England team had to go home in this way.

"Risk can be anywhere in the world but it is a shame that England had to go back home. But honestly speaking the newspaper report did made some players worried but I am confident with the way India has ensured our safety," Gade said.

Malaysian coach Misbun Sidek also echoed similar views. "Security is not a problem at all.

There is large number of security presence and we do not have any issues," he said. "India has done whatever they could have done and we are satisfied with the arrangements.

We just want to concentrate on the matches now," said Lee Chong Wei, when asked about his view. His fierce rival Chinese Lin Dan also felt the same and said, "Since India has granted our safety, we have no concern.

We have full faith on BWF." However, when Dicky Palyama was asked about his views, the Dutch replied in a rather diplomatic way. "Well, I am not scared I can handle it but if the coach decides to go home, I don''t mind," he quipped.

world badminton championship

HYDERABAD: Siblings and couples teaming up is not new in racquet sports but in a unique case, an Israeli shuttler has combined with her teenaged son for the mixed doubles event of the World Badminton Championships which started on Monday.

Svetlana Zilberman (45) and her 19-year-old son Misha says they are five-time national champions and are perfect partners for each other despite the huge age difference.

"We have been playing together for the last five years and we have won the national championship in our country five times," says Svetlana.

"This is for the first time we are participating in the World Championship and we hope to do well," she added.

Misha says having his mother has been doing a twin job as she is also his coach.

"We are a great combination. I am very comfortable with her around because even if she doesn't say anything, I can understand what she means. We have this great connection," Misha says.

"She is also my coach. So when she is not playing, she is actually teaching me," he added.

Misha will take on World number five and defending champion Lin Dan of China in his singles opener.

Misha says he can't recall when he started playing with his mother as he has never had any other partner except for her.

"I think, I have been playing with her since I was born and don't know exactly when was the first time we played together," Misha joked.

"She has been playing the game since she was 12," he added.

Himself a five time national champion and the only professional player in the country, Misha says it hasn't been easy to pursue the sport.

"There are not enough sponsors and the game is not that big back home. We have to spend from our own pocket. Even to participate in this tournament we had to shell out $3000," he says.

"There are not many clubs in Israel and there aren't many practice facilities there," added Svetlana.

The Zilbermans were supposed to face 11th seeds Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg of England in the first round but with the country pulling out due to security concerns, they have got a walkover.

They will take on the winners of the match between the Indian pair of Arun Vishnu and Aparna Balan and Japanese combo of Noriyasu Hirata and Shizuka Matsuo on Tuesday.

Asked how long he would continue playing with his mom, Misha quipped, "As long as I don't find someone younger."

No air-conditioners during World Championships: Verma

NEW DELHI: The air-conditioners, which had been a cause of concern for shuttlers at the Indian Open, would be shut down during the World Badminton Ch
ampionships so that the drift does not affect players, assured BAI chief VK Verma.

The drift from the ACs at the Gachibowli stadium in Hyderabad had made life hard for shuttlers during the Indian Open, many of whom complained they were finding it difficult to control the shuttle.

The BAI thus decided to keep them shut during the World Championships in August and to negate the heat factor, the Gachibowli stadium would be pre-cooled before matches.

"We intend to pre-cool the stadium and have matches for 2-3 hours without the air-conditioners following which there will be another break during which the venue will be once again pre-cooled. There won't be an AC during the matches," Verma said.

The decision evoked mixed reactions from the shuttlers, with Indian world number seven Saina Nehwal saying it was a good idea.

"The shuttles were very fast in the Indian Open. Nowadays the courts are becoming slower but in Hyderabad it was very fast and it was difficult to control the shuttle," Saina said.

"But I think it is a good idea to pre-cool the stadium, it will help the shuttlers," she added.

Aravind Bhat, who will also represent India in the World Championships, sounded apprehensive.

"It would be difficult to do that considering matches would be going in five courts and after every 2-3 hours they can't ask players to stop playing and it might very well affect their game. But if they can manage to do that it would solve the problem," said Bhat.

Many players, including Chetan Anand had a torrid time during the Indian Open in March this year, when they failed to control the shuttle which moved abruptly because of the drift from two air-conditioners which were used during the matches.

Chetan, though, felt if Indian shuttlers could get a week's training with the ACs in full blast, it would help them acclimatise with the drift prior to the big event.

"In all events there are air-conditioners but then it is a one-way drift, during Indian Open there was a two-way drift and it became difficult to control the shuttle. This time during the World Championship if there can be a one-week training prior to the tournament, it will help shuttlers to acclimatise better," Chetan said.

When asked about BAI's plan to shut the ACs during matches, Chetan said, "It is a good idea as long as the heat doesn't affect the foreign players because switching off the ACs during matches will generate a lot of heat in the stadium.

"But I feel there's nothing wrong in experimenting as long as the stadium is cool and comfortable."

It is a dream come true for me: Saina

New Delhi: Moments after pulling off the biggest title victory of her career, Saina Nehwal said the trumph at the Indonesian Super Series was a "dream come true" but she never expected it to come at such an early age.

World number eight Saina beat number third ranked Chinese Lin Wang 12-21 21-18 21-9 in a 49-minute hard-fought summit showdown in Jakarta.

"It is a dream come true for me, it couldn't have been better. I am elated, excited and shocked as well. I always wanted to win a Super series but I have never thought I will win it at such an early age," she said.

"I was playing well all these months but losing close matches against top ranked players so it was a litte difficult to believe that I have actually won. It took time for the realisation to sink in," she said from Jakarta.

In the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, Saina put in umpteen hours as part of her strict daily training regime and the 20-year-old player says she is happy that her hard work has finally paid off.

"I have always believed in working hard and have given my everything in training and during the matches and so I feel extremely happy and proud of my achievement," she said.

The Hyderabadi girl, who won the Chinese Taipei Grand Prix Gold tournament in September last year, ranked the Indonesian Open title win as her best ever performance till date.

"It has to be my best win because I have defeated two Chinese players in this tournament. There was Lan Lu, whom I defeated in straight games and then here today against Wang, I rallied well and beat her under 10 points in the third game," Saina said.

Saina thanked her Indonesian coach Atik Jauhari for devising a proper strategy for her so that she could win over Wang.

"The Indonesian supporters have been very supportive and I am thankful to coach, who gave me a very good plan as how to go about my match. The plan fell perfectly in place as she was under pressure," she said.

Saina is now eyeing the World Championship and a place in the top five.

"I want to break into the top five now but my first priority is the World Championship in Hyderabad in August. I want to work harder and perform better with each match," she said.

Saina will next feature in the Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold tournament starting from June 23.

Pullela Gopichand said, "The way she has played through out the tournament, it reflects the hard work she has put up in all these years.

"It will give her a lot of confidence and help her perform even better in the World Championship and also give impetus to India's preparation of the important tournament in Hyderabad in August," he added.


Reflecting on the match, Gopichand said, "She played aggressive badminton and grabbed her chances and also played better in the nets today. She has been very patient."

"Saina always likes players whom she has played against before, it is very typical of her and since she had played her last week, she was very comfortable with Wang," he added.

Gopichand further said that it was important to have patience and give her time so that she can come up with some stunning performances.

"Many people ask why she is not winning enough tournaments. We have to realise that she is just 19 years old. We need to give her time to go ahead", Gopichand said.

"The greatest quality of Saina is that every time she takes the courts, she makes sure of giving her 100 per cent," he said.

Saina's father Harvir Singh said he really felt very proud with her daughter's achievement.

"My happiness knows no bounds. She has not only made me proud but by her feat she has also made India proud. I feel this win will boost her morale and she will put more hard work to her game to bring more laurels for the country," he said.