Saina looks to continue dream run

London Olympics bronze me­dalist Saina Nehwal is grouped with non-Chinese contenders in Juliane Schenk (Germany), Tine Baun (Denmark) and Ratchanok Intanon (Thailand) in the season-ending World Super Series finals, to be held at  Shenzhen in China from tomorrow. The final is scheduled for Dec 16.

 World No. 2 Li Xuerui finds herself alongside compatriot Wang Shixian, Sung Ji Hyun (Korea) and Eriko Hirose (Japan) in Group A.  The top eight players of the world take part in this prestigious tournament. However, world number one Yihan Wang has opted out of the tournament because of injury.  For Saina, it will be another  opportunity to continue her dream run.

How different is Super Series final?

This is a different type of tournament and there will be tough matches from the first round itself. It is more about your game on the day. However, given my recent performances and my good form of late, I’m confident of giving a good show. I have been playing the Super Series final since 2008.

On Super Series Final this year

The atmosphere will be different as we are playing in China this year. Playing in front of the Chinese crowd is different and it will be always challenging for any other player. I’m looking forward to this tournament. I hope the crowd supports (smiles) me.

On Chinese players and their game

The Chinese players are always strong. I’m happy that I’m beating them. But it is not easy to beat them again and again.  I’m trying to do it. They work very hard and they come out with new strategies. I have to play smart badminton to beat them in their own den.  Of course beating a Ch­inese player is a big m­oment for any player.

On the coming year

There is a lot of time for the 2014 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. But I have to play in most of the tournaments and get prepared. It is important to be injury free.

On injuries and games

Every player has injury.  I knew if I need to beat a Chinese player, I had to imp­r­o­ve my fitness and become mentally s­trong. That worked for me this year and I hope to continue with that form in the next year too.