Saina's top five entry on the badminton charts has set the tone for greater things

Saina's top five entry sets the tone for greater things

Saina's top five entry on the badminton charts has set the tone for greater things

"I am focused and mentally very tough. I am in awe of no one on the world circuit. I am on court to win," says Saina Nehwal, echoing the philosophy her coach-mentor Pullela Gopichand has inculcated in her.

Saina is World No five now, a position she aimed for at the end of last year. Though this career high has come two months late for Saina, the ranking has proved the obvious: The badminton ace is by far the best female sportsperson in the country.

Saina is completely happy with herself and in tune with her single-minded attitude and approach which has propelled her to a such a high world rank at a young age of 20.

Her triumph over Juliana Schenck of Germany in the All England quarters last week got her in the top five.
And though she lost in the semis to Tine Rassmussen of Denmark -- the eventual winner -- in a pulsating, thrilling match that could have gone either way, the scoreline of 19-21, 17-21 was so close that every Indian who follows the sport was heartbroken.

Gift
Saina, though, has learnt to take things in her stride. She says: "This was the best birthday present I could have given myself. In fact, this year has been very, very good for me." Her coach Gopi is over the moon, but at the same time, very circumspect. "She has had a fantastic Uber Cup in Thailand last month where she ensured India's entry in the Uber finals for the first time in history. And now, the All England semis. What more can one ask for?"

Saina did not lose a single match and beat the likes of former world champion Zhou Mi of Hong Kong with ease and panache.

Not only has Saina created history as far as Indian sport is concerned, she has proved to be better than the renowned Prakash Padukone and charismatic Pullela Gopichand, the 2001 All England singles
winner.

Neither of them was a World top 5 ranked player at 20. And, neither had also won a Super Series event at age of 19.

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