Saina Nehwal eyes World championships

8220;I still can8217;t believe,after coming back I8217;m still thinking whether I even played that tournament,8221; Nehwal,still dizzy with the success,told Reuters in an interview.

Nehwal has attended a series of receptions and endless media interviews since returning home,with her win compared to the All-England championship triumphs by compatriots Prakash Padukone,in 1980,and her coach Pullela Gopichand 2001.

Nehwal aims to shut out distractions from Monday when she resumes serious training for the world championships.

8220;I8217;m having a good time,enjoying this moment,8221; gushed Nehwal. 8220;But I know it is not the end,I still have to work hard and the biggest tournament of the year is lined up.

8220;I8217;ve been playing with a lot of expectations in the past one-and-half years.

8220;Right now,my focus is to play 100 percent and beat the player,not to take unnecessary pressure on my shoulders.

8220;I should not start thinking I have to play for the people or win for them.

8220;When I go onto the court,I should think I8217;m playing for myself,and I8217;m happy doing that.8221;

Rankings Rise

Nehwal has enjoyed a superb run in the last 18 months,rising from world number 33 at the start of 2008 by winning three international titles in 2008,including the world junior title.

She also reached the Olympic quarter-finals 8212; where she squandered a 11-5 lead in the decider against Indonesia8217;s Maria Kristin Yulianti 8212; and was chosen as the most promising player of the year by the Badminton World Federation.

In the Indonesian Super Series,Nehwal clinched back-to-back wins over tough Chinese rivals.

She defeated Lu Lan in the semi-finals before overcoming current world number two Lin Wang in the final,rallying from 2-7 to clinch the decider 21-9.

8220;It gives huge confidence to have beaten two Chinese players in one tournament,8221; she said.

8220;Sometimes you beat one of them and just relax. I feel if I build so much more stamina,I can beat four in a row.8221;

Her current ranking means she would be seeded in the world championships,though she would rather focus on consistency than numbers.

8220;It is good for seeding in the tournament,but now I don8217;t see the ranking. It sometimes goes up,sometimes down.

8220;It is important for me to win against these players consistently and in more tournaments.8221;