New Delhi: Olympic medalist Saina Nehwal is upbeat about her prospects in the Yonex Sunrise India Open Superseries but warned that the tournament draw is tough and winning will not be easy at all.
A total number of 220 players from 18 nations will be aiming to win the $200,000 Yonex Sunrise India Open to be held at DDA Squash and Badminton Stadium (Siri Fort Complex), from April 23-28.
The ‘Indian Shuttle Queen’ said on Monday, “Every tournament is tough, it’s a Superseries event and all the top players will be playing in the Yonex Sunrise India Open, but I am looking forward to put my best feet forward.”
Putting emphasis on the Yonex Sunrise India Open draw this year, Nehwal said it’s tough this time and her first-round opponent Belaetrix Manuputi of Indonesia has been showing impressive form. She said, “The draw is quite tough, it is not easy. In the first round itself I am playing with an Indonesian player who is doing really well. But, I am preparing hard to win the Yonex Sunrise India Open Superseries.”
The women’s world No.2 said playing before the home crowd is special and she looks forward to having over her fans and parents. “The Yonex Sunrise India Open is special because it’s held in Delhi. Lots of home fans will be there to cheer me up and at the same time my parents can come and watch me. Youngsters will also get a chance to learn from the senior players.”
Meanwhile, National Chief Coach Pullela Gopichand is hopeful that the host nation will come up with an impressive show and win in at least one of the five categories at stake. The former All-England champion said, “Preparation is pretty decent and I think we had the time post-All-England and Swiss Open. We have the Asian Championship coming up this week and the experience will help us in the Yonex Sunrise India Open.”
Gopi is hoping the Indian players will deliver to fans expectations. “I think we are getting closer each time and hopefully Saina will be able to get us that coveted thing. We also have (Parupalli) Kashyap (world No.7 in men’s siingles) who is doing well. I feel all the players have emerged stronger in these years not only in singles but also in doubles events. Somebody will win us the Yonex Sunrise India Open Superseries title.”
He added the focus will be on all the players and not just limited to the singles players. “There are whole lots of juniors who have the opportunity to play against the best players of the world and I expect them to use it as a launch pad. We also have our doubles combinations whether it is Jwala Gutta and Dijju or Ashwini Ponnappa and Pradnya. I am looking forward to their performance.”
BAI President and MP, Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta said, “We look forward to an Indian player winning at least one of the titles this year. Our endeavour is to bring the best badminton players to India for our fans.”
Yonex Sunrise (India) MD Vikram Dhar said, “The Yonex Sunrise India Open attracts some of the biggest names from the badminton circuit. We are confident the Yonex Sunrise India Open 2013 will dazzle the Indian badminton fans with breath-taking action and scintillating performance.”
By ISN