New Delhi: High on confidence after India’s 5-0 thrashing of Canada in the ongoing Uber Cup badminton tournament, Saina Nehwal said it was a great start by her team but added they would be concentrating on one match at a time.
“Great start. Very happy with the team’s performance and we hope to do well in the upcoming matches also. We hope to make the quarterfinals,” Saina said.
“But both Hong Kong and Thailand are very tough. Team competitions are never easy. Every match is very tough and you can never say anything. We are taking one match at a time,” she added.
World No. 8 Saina said the Indian team will face a tough competition from Thai players but they are keen to give their best and make the last eight stage of the tournament at their own backyard.
“There will be difficult matches against Thailand and we just hope to do well. Since its happening in India, it will be great if we can reach the quarters,” she said after the lunch of Yonex store here today.
The London Olympics bronze medallist shuttler reiterated that it was extremely important for her to win the first singles. “Opening singles is very, very important. It is very crucial to win the first singles. It is always good for the team,” she said.
Asked about the Indian men suffering a 1-4 defeat against former champions Malaysia in the Thomas Cup event yesterday, Saina said, “Men’s team’s draw is very difficult with teams like Malaysia, Korea and Germany in their group. I just hope they do well.”
Asked if she is all geared up to defend her Commonwealth Games gold medal at the mega-event, to be held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 3, Saina said she was concentrating on the Super Series scheduled in June in Japan, Indonesia and Australia.
“There is still a lot of time for the Commonwealth Games. Just focusing on the next upcoming tournament, Super Series in June and that will help me to build up for the CWG. First thing is to focus on the Super Series. CWG is a prestigious event and I hope I do well for my country,” she concluded.
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