Saina prepared for Chinese challenge in Singapore

After all the off-court drama that unfolded in her life for the last few months,its time for some on-court action,and where better than Singapore for Saina Nehwal.

After all the off-court drama that unfolded in her life for the last few months,its time for some on-court action,and where better than Singapore for Saina Nehwal the place where she won the Super Series last year. Nehwal begins the defense of her Singapore Open Super Series title on Tuesday,a tournament which was one of amongst the hat trick of title victories in a path-breaking 2010 for the ace.

However,the previous edition lacked the fearsome presence of the three Wangs Shixian,Xin and Yihan the top three shuttlers in the world,who will prove to be a stiff challenge in Nehwals attempt to repeat the feat. Defending the crown,however,is the last thing on her mind as right now,Nehwals focus is only on beating the Chinese.

I have not been thinking about the fact that I am defending the title. The rankings also dont matter much to me. My focus is on beating the Chinese players in the big matches so that I am ready for the Olympics, Nehwal said.

While Nehwal may have won several titles,emerging victorious in the big tournaments such as the All England Championships,the World Championships and the Olympics has eluded her. And a win against the Chinese will be a huge boost before the London Olympics.

In fact,Nehwal will have a Chinese opponent in the very first round,during her campaign opener against former world champion Lu Lan. Nehwal has a favourable head-to-head record (3-1) against Lan currently ranked 24th in the world having defeated her as recently as the Thailand Open Grand Prix. The confidence is high enough for her to say: She shouldnt be a problem. Ive also been practicing well for the event.

The relatively easy run continues till the quarterfinals,but tightens up in the Last Eight round,where she will in all likelihood face World No 8 Tine Baun of Denmark whom she is yet to beat in their two previous encounters.

A place in the semis will see her coming up against World No 1 Shixian Wang,the most important match in her Singapore calendar. My focus is winning against the Chinese. I was far from my best in the Thailand Open Grand Prix and it was just not my day. I have been preparing well,however,and am looking to make a good come back, said Nehwal,who lost to Chinese Xuerui Lui in the quarters in that event.

Arundhati in main draw

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Arundhati Pantawane made the main draw of the women’s singles event of the Singapore Open Super Series. Pantawane rallied her way from a game down to beat Chinese Taipei’s Hsiao Huan Chen 18-21 21-17 21-19 in the first round match. She then saw off Canadian Li Michelle 21-14 14-21 21-19 in another thrilling second round match that lasted for 46 minutes.

Arundhati will now take on Chinese Taipei’s Tzu Ying Tai in the first round of the main draw on Wednesday. But RMV Gurusai Datt and Ajay Jayaram failed in their bids to make the main draw.Gurusai lost to Thailand’s Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk 20-22 16-21 in the second round. Jayaram,however,couldn’t cross even the first hurdle of the qualification,losing to Malaysian Muhammad Hafiz Hashim 15-21 21-14 22-24.