Saina’s victory phenomenal: Gopichand

HYDERABAD/NEW DELHI - Saina Nehwal’s three titles in three weeks is a phenomenal achievement for the Indian sport, said her coach and former All England champion Pullela Gopichand.

World No.3 Saina won the Indonesian Open badminton Sunday, overcoming stubborn resistance from Sayaka Sato of Japan 21-19, 13-21, 21-11 in the final Sunday.

It was the 20-year-old Hyderabadi’s third Super Series crown.

She won the Indian Open Grand Prix and the Singapore Open Super Series in the last two weeks, catapulting her to two places in the rankings this week and put her ahead of the three top Chinese players.

It was also Saina’s second triumph at the Indonesian Open, which from next year will be one of the five premier events in the international badminton calendar.

“It is a phenomenal achievement. I have not heard of any international player winning three titles in three weeks in the recent times,” Gopichand told IANS.

“She has won 15 matches in a row and that in itself is a great achievement. I spoke to her, she is a little bit tired but excited.

“She has tremendous self-confidence and motivation to do well. She expects too much from herself and that puts her under pressure, sometimes.

“It is her belief in her abilities, physical fitness and her mental grit which has brought her so far in international career in a short span of time,” Gopichand said.

Gopichand said that Saina had been playing in select international tournaments from this year and that has helped her to work on her game and physical fitness.

He said three titles in a row will further boost her confidence, before important events like the World Championships.

“She wants to win every tournament. She is world number 3 now, and she knows what it takes to be at the top. I am sure she will be consistent with her performance.”

Going back in time, Goipchand said Saina was always serious about her badminton.

“She is never ready to give up and it is this fighting spirit in her which has lifted her to the top.”