Saina keeps dream alive

Saina Nehwal has perhaps dreamt of this Sunday many times over: of a title match-up against a Chinese.

Saina Nehwal has perhaps dreamt of this Sunday many times over: of a title match-up against a Chinese. Beating one has ranked high on her wish-list from the time she first stepped onto the international stage. The eighth-ranked Indian will finally get her chance when she takes on Chinese Lin Wang in the maiden Super Series final of her career.

At Jakartas Istora Senayan stadium,her audacious 25-23 21-19 win over Lu Lan,another Chinese and one shed never beaten before,ensured that Nehwal marched into the biggest final of her career in style. Fighting a neck-and-neck battle through the entire course of the semi-final match at the Indonesia Super Series,the 19-year-old showed tremendous mental toughness in taking the first game 25-23,despite Lan having launched a hot pursuit after Nehwal led 20-18.

Attacking game

She mixed up her game,got the better of the net exchanges and never relented in her attack. But what had coach P Gopichand delighted while following the game from Hyderabad was Nehwals patience in the crunch points.

Her patience was the key today, Gopichand said,adding that winning at 25-23 was crucial as it hinted at a maturing temperament in the heat of the battle. More than once in her career,Nehwal has faltered owing to her impatience while hurrying to finish off having erred against Lu Lan in similar fashion earlier this year at Swiss Open.

But on Saturday,the Indian refrained from any such hara-kiri,persisting despite being 0-6 down at the start of the second game,keeping her head to level at 13-all,and then finishing calmly. She moved well,especially after she was 0-6 down,and kept at her shots. She showed shes a gritty athlete who gets tougher and more attacking when playing the crucial points, Gopi said.

Final threat

In the final,Nehwal runs into one of the most fast-paced players scorching the circuit today. World No 3 Lin,who was the junior world champion just a year before Nehwal took the crown,was a semi-finalist at the Asian Badminton Championships this year and has climbed the ladder quicker than most others this year. She also played the Sudirman Cup for China recently.

Wang plays a good attacking game but she can crack under pressure. Saina should keep it simple,play a steady game and keep attacking. Theres not much to lose,so she can play freely, Gopichand added.

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Nehwal will be keen to get the details right on Sunday. Shes a little way away. But were looking at a future where a Saina vs China scenario doesnt look so improbable, Gopi said after his wards fantastic march into the final.