New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) World No.2 Saina Nehwal says she is excited as well as nervous at the prospect of playing compatriot P.V. Sindhu in the women’s singles quarterfinals at the India Open starting here Tuesday.
“I think it will be an interesting, good match. I am also very excited to play against her. It will be very exciting for the spectators as well. I am also a little nervous being a top player but I will give my best,” said Saina, at the $200,000 India Open Super Series opening press conference, Monday.
“I have to concentrate on the first two rounds and then think about Sindhu’s match, when and if we both reach the quarters. We have practiced together but playing a match in a big tournament will be something different.”
The Hyderabadi lauded her city-mate for her showing at the international stage.
“Sindhu has been playing well and consistently beating top players including Olympic champion Li Xuerui and former World No.1 Shixian Wang. She won the Badminton Asia Youth Under-19 Championships last year and reached the semifinals of a couple of Super Series events as well, so she has been doing really well,” added the London Olympics bronze medallist.
Saina added that the draw at the India Open is quite tough with the presence of Chinese, Chinese Taipei and Thai players.
Asked about her performances in the tournament, she said: “After I won the Commonwealth Games gold here in 2010 I did not particularly do well in 2011 and 2012. This time I will try my best to better my record. I hope I live up to the expectations of everyone.”
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is set to introduce a landmark change, line-call review system, at the Sudirman Cup in May followed by the Indonesia Open Super Series.
Asked about BWF’s decision, the India Open top seed said she wasn’t sure how it will turn out.
“It if difficult to comment now. Let us see how it turns out to be. Badminton is quite a fast game, it could slow it down but it could also be good as there are many close line decisions which are wrongly called. If it works well for the players and is seen to be fair then I think it is good.”
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