Super Saina scores hat-trick

It’s been a "Super" week for Saina Nehwal. After last week’s win at the Singapore Open Super Series, she defeated Japan’s Sayaka Sato on Sunday to defend the Indonesian Open Super Series in Jakarta, thus completing a hat-trick of titles. The week was also special as she also broke through the top three of world badminton rankings.

The Hyderabadi shuttler defeated Sato 21-19, 13-21, 21-11 in the 45-minute encounter
thus successfully defended her crown and adding her third Super Series title to her kitty.

Her two earlier wins were the Indian Open Grand Prix Gold event on June 13 in Chennai
and the Singapore Open Super Series title on June 20.

Though a bit restrained earlier in the week when she was ranked World No. 3 (she
wanted to win the Indonesian Open before celebrating), the Arjuna and Padma Sri
recipient seemed at last ready to bask in the glory.

"It’s a superb feeling - indeed an achievement to cherish always... becoming World No. 3, defending my Indonesian Open Super Series title, winning the Singapore Open Super Series and Indian Open - it’s reason enough to celebrate," Saina told this
newspaper from Jakarta on Sunday.

"I am eager to come home so that I can share these precious moments with my family
too," the 20-year-old said adding, "It has been three long very tiring weeks for me as I
have been playing these tournaments one after another. However, ending with a victory
motivates you to do better."

Did she miss the Chinese? "No comments," Saina laughed but then added, "That was an
advantage for me since the psychology is different when you are against a Chinese
player. But again, that does not mean that victory is all yours. You have to play your
best because you never know what determination and tactics your opponent is going to adopt."

The champion’s parents - Dr Harvir Singh and Usha Rani - were delighted with their
daughter’s latest victory.

"Saina has done us proud. With God’s grace, we hope she brings laurels to the country,"
Dr Singh said.

"I was really tensed when she was down in the second game. But she easily overcame
the hiccup in the third one," added Ms Usha.

National chief coach Pullela Gopichand was extremely proud of his ward. "It is a great
victory for Saina. Many aspire but only few are able to scale these heights. Saina is
hard-working and she really deserves it," he said adding, "Her focus now will be the
World Championships (August), the Commonwealth Games (October) and the Asian
Games.

"Now, looking at her achievements, I can say she definitely has it in her to get the gold
at the Olympics," Gopichand said.