India's best bet for a gold medal at the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Games, teen shuttler Saina Nehwal on Friday said she would carry forward her recent good form to win laurels.
PUNE: India's best bet for a gold medal at the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Games, teen shuttler Saina Nehwal on Friday said she would carry forward her recent good form to win laurels for the country.
"I am really looking forward to this meet and have been preparing hard. I've had some good outing recently after Beijing. I'm in good shape and hope to carry on the same form to CYG," Saina said.
Saina, who shocked world number five Wang Chen of Hong Kong en route to the quarter finals in Beijing to become the first Indian woman to reach this far, continued her winning streak by clinching the Chinese Taipei Gold Grand Prix and then reaching the last four of the Chinese Masters recently.
"But obviously, winning here will not be that easier here. The juniors are really doing well... There will be some tough opposition from Malaysia and Singapore. I am expecting a good fight," she added.
With the World Junior Championship set to begin at the same venue after the CYG, Saina feels it will give the Indians a definite advantage.
"We will be used to the nature of the court and with the one weeks' stay we will shape up as a team which will really help us to do well in the world Juniors, which is going to be tougher than CYG as there will be participants from China and Indonesia.
"Hopefully, we will use the home condition well and will be backed up by a good crowd support. I am looking forward to wins in both the meets," said the Olympian shuttler.
But Saina feels she will not cave in to pressure: "I don't take unnecessary pressure on me as it affects the concentration."
The CYG will not help her gaining any points at the senior circuit, but the Hyderabadi shuttler is unperturbed: "Losing two or three points won't matter much. But what counts is the exposure and playing for pride. I will try to win medals for India both at CYG and the World Junior Championship in Pune."
Her Beijing experience was very helpful to bring the best in Saina.
"Olympics was a great outing. I played some tough matches... It has been a learning experience that is helping me a lot ever since I've returned."
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