Journalism of Courage
After guiding the women's team to a thumping victory in the Uber Cup, Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal said her confidence is still not at the peak but she is slowly finding her rhythm back.
Saina Nehwal of India and Ko Joycelyn of Canada wait to enter before start women singles, on Day 1 of Thomas and Uber cup finals 2014 at Siri fort sports complex, in New Delhi. (Source: Express photo by Ravi Kanojia)
Saina Nehwal gave her team a positive start after notching up a 21-4 21-12 win over Joycelyn Ko in 25 minutes in the first singles at the Siri Fort Complex in New Delhi.
"I think still there are lots of tough matches ahead which I have to play. There is Hong Kong tomorrow. I have lost few matches recently so the confidence is still lacking. But I have seen some difference in my game when I played today. I could see my strokes have improved after the training," Saina
told reporters after the match.
Saina Nehwal of India in action against Ko Joycelyn of Canada during women singles. (Source: Express photo by Ravi Kanojia)
Asked if she was 100 percent fit, Saina said:"Nobody can say a player is 100 percent. Everyone is here and there and I think it is about how you find your rhythm and how good you play in that tournament and it is just starting. So lets us just wait for other matches and see how it goes." Saina said she was finding it a bit difficult to control the shuttle in the second game as there is drift in the stadium.(Source: Express photo by Ravi Kanojia)
"There is lot of drift here, sometimes it is difficult to control. Otherwise, today result was expected. I had no problem with getting rhythm. I was on the favourable side in the first game and in the second game again I was on the other side and it is not easy to play in that side," she said. The London Olympics bronze medallist feels her team has the firepower to go beyond the quarterfinal stage. (Source: Express photo by Ravi Kanojia)
P V Sindhu also hardly broke any sweat before brushing aside Rachael Honderich 21-16 21-3 in a 26-minute lop-sided match. Asked about the match, she said:"It was first match and I was making errors. I was hitting out and then I came back in the second game. (Source: Express photo by Ravi Kanojia)
Jwala Gutta, P.V.Sindhu and other Indian players cheer before start of the women matches, on Day 1 of Thomas and Uber cup finals 2014. (Source: Express photo by Ravi Kanojia)
Jwala Gutta, P.V.Sindhu and Ashwini Ponnappa of India cheer before start the women matches, on Day 1 of Thomas and Uber cup finals 2014. (Source: Express photo by Ravi Kanojia)
