Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The new year need not ring in any tide-turning change for Indias shuttlers theyll be happy to continue from where they left 2008. Starting the Malaysian Super Series,a host of Indian challengers will join Saina Nehwal,hoping to push their rankings higher,even as the womens World No 10 starts the year with an eye on winning titles.
It really helps going into a tournament as an entire contingent. Theres someone to cheer for you,so the supports crucial and it really pumps you up, Nehwal said. hoping for a seamless start to the first leg of the Super Series events this year against 34-year-old veteran German Nicole Grether.
Nehwal had started out on the wrong foot when she went out early in Malaysia last year,and the Hyderabad girl is keen on reversing that forgettable result. Im not setting a time limit for my Top-5 goal,but I know if I stay fit and increase my stamina,Ill get there fast and importantly stay there.
What makes it an even more exciting start to the badminton calendar is the presence of five challengers in the mens section. Anand Pawar joined compatriots Chetan Anand,Arvind Bhatt,Anup Sridhar and P Kashyap in the main draw of the mens section,starting Wednesday,as the Mumbai lad found a spot in the January 6-11 event at the Bukit Jalil Stadium,Kuala Lumpur.
Pawar plays Hsuan Yi Hsueh of Taipei,while Indias top-ranked World No 15 Chetan Anand starts against No 48 Canadian Bobby Milroy.
Chances look steep for the promising P Kashyap who faces off against Danish great Peter Gade first up. Arvind Bhat,ranked 35,runs into eighth seed Simon Santasho,while Anup Sridhar,down to 45 plays local challenger Mohd Roslin Hasim.
Nehwal is joined by Aditi Mutatkar,who after a successful stint in Europe gets onto the Asian caravan. The going though may be tough for the Pune girl,who meets third-seed Chen Wang.
In the mens doubles qualifying round,Rupesh Kumar/ Sanave Thomas reached the main draw.
Indias top pair meet Polish Michal Logosz and Robert Matheusiak,while in the mixed doubles,V Diju and Jwala Gutta will play Chieh Min Feng/Weng Hsing Cheng. If the review of 2008 was good,the preview for 2009 looks equally promising.
