Saina sounds cautious before the Singapore Open

She might be in red-hot form after her successful stint in the Sudirman Cup but ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal is not setting any goal for the upcoming south-east Asia tour, starting with the USD 200,000 Singapore Open Super Series from June 9-14.

The 20-year-old Hyderabadi, who won all her matches during the Sudirman Cup in China last month, will play three super series tournament -- Singapore Open, Indonesian Open and Malaysian Open -- as a part of the tour this month.
    
However, the world number seven, sounded cautious and said she would look to gain some confidence from the tournaments before the much-important World badminton Champion in August in Hyderabad.
    
"I have set no goals, I am not thinking about making the quarterfinals or semifinals. I just want to go there and play and win some good matches and get my confidence going before the world championship," Saina said.
    
Seeded sixth, Saina has a relatively easier draw in the Singapore Open as she takes on a qualifier in the opener but the world number 7 feels her opponent would be in an advantageous position.
    
"I am playing a qualifier in the opener but I wouldn't take her lightly. She would be in an advantageous position because she would be knowing the conditions well after playing in the qualifying rounds, So it would be tough," Saina said.

If Saina gets past the qualifier, Saina will likely lock horns with Indonesian world number 19 Andrianti Firdasari in the second round.

"I have played her twice and it has been 1-1 so far and I know it would be another tough match but I am confident."
    
Saina, who injured her shoulder early this year, said she was feeling fitter than ever and hopes to be in her best shape during the Singapore open.

"During the Indian Open in March, I was a little worried about the shoulder, it was about 70 per cent okay but now it has healed by 90-95 per cent and I feel no pain at all. I am in my best shape now," she said.
    
World number 35 Indian Aditi Mutatkar will meet Judith Meulendijks of Netherland in her women's singles opening tie.
    
Among other Indians in fray, World number 12 Chetan Anand will cross sword with World number 23 Malaysian Choong Hann Wong in the opening tie.

However, Arvind Bhat will have a tough task in hand as he opens his campaign against third seed Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia.

In the qualifying round, Anup Sridhar will clash with Canadian Stefan Wojcikiewicz, while Anand Pawar will fight it out with Muhammad Roslin Hashim of Malaysia.

In mixed doubles, India's best pair of V Diju and Jwala Gutta will take on six seeded pair of Zhongbo Xie and Yawen Zhang of China in their opener.