MUMBAI: The second half of the year has been really good for Saina Nehwal and it continues to get better as she recorded a thrilling win over world No. six Lin Zhu of China to enter the semifinal of the China Masters on Friday.
Saina defeated the third seed Chinese 21-16 21-23 21-18 to move into the last four of a Super Series event for the second time in three months - the first being the Singapore Open in June. Her outing in Singapore gave her confidence that she can stand her ground against the best.
“A year back I used to get nervous when facing a top player. That’s not the case now. I’m confident of beating a top 10 player. I just have to believe in my abilities and give 100 per cent. I just want to win,” Saina told DNA from Changzhou in China.
In the Beijing Olympics last month, Saina had defeated the then world No. 3 Chen Wang en route to her quarterfinal appearance. And the world No. 12 once again proved it on Friday that she has matured over the last year with more experience under her belt.
She overcame the Chinese on home turf, with local fans cheering for Zhu vociferously. “The stadium was packed to capacity and it was a carnival atmosphere. It was hard to concentrate, but I didn’t let it affect my game,” Saina said.
Saina’s performance also impressed her coach P Gopichand, who rated it as one of the biggest wins of Saina’s career. “I would rate this victory highly, because it is difficult to defeat a Chinese on home turf. It is something really special. If she continues to play in the same fashion she can go all the way,” he told DNA from Hyderabad.
Saina could have closed the match in the second game, serving at 20-19, but a lapse in concentration saw her lose it 21-23. “Lot of things were going on in my mind, which cost me the game. But in the third game, I took the initiative, putting her on the defensive to clinch the match,” she said.
Saina’s achievement is stupendous, especially with her mentor Gopichand not around to coach her. Gopichand is in Hyderabad fighting a legal battle with Andhra Pradesh government over his academy land.
“It’s very difficult to go into a match with no one around. I’m missing Gopi sir, especially when I get into a difficult situation. He has some issues to settle back home, but I’m in touch with him, and his advice really helped me,” Saina said.
Soon after her victory, Saina started her preparation for her semifinal match against world No. seven Mi Zhou of Hong Kong, who had beaten her in Singapore and in last week’s Japan Open. “She will be trying to play on my forehand side and make me run. I have to guard against it,” said Saina.
Though Gopichand is not by her side, he feels confident of his ward doing well. “Zhou is an aggressive player. Saina has to take the initiative. Be aggressive. If she manages to do so, she can win.”
