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Saina committed and raring to go

The Beijing Olympics should present a great opportunity for shuttler Saina Nehwal, who has an outside chance, to create history.

Three years ago, Saina was ranked World No. 198 before she began training under Pullela Gopi Chand, former All England champion and chief National coach. Now, the 18-year-old is ranked No. 15.

In 2006, she became the first Indian woman to win a four-star event by clinching the Philippines Open.

Best bet

And it is for these reasons that she may be considered to be India's best bet ever in women's badminton in any Olympics.

And, when Saina begins her campaign as one of the dark horses, she will be aware of the huge expectations.

But she dismisses any talk of pressure. "Reaching the Olympics is the biggest achievement of my career so far.

"It is a dream which I always chased, ever since I started playing," says Saina.

"There is no point in thinking of anything else. You have to be focussed when you enter the court," she says with the nonchalance akin to her displays on court.

This 2006 world junior finalist, fresh from a creditable outing on the Asian circuit, is raring to go with a vastly improved fitness level.

More importantly she complements her hard work with intense desire and great commitment. She has the game that is required at the international level and on her day can be one of the best in the business.

"My first target will be the semifinals. Even reaching that is a huge task. But, I will not be found wanting and will give it my best," says Saina.

She is hoping is to have one or two really good days in the Games and strike hard with her awesome attacking game.

Gopi confident

Gopi is confident of his ward's success but is equally concerned with her tendency to attack too often.

"At this level, you have to control the game as the situation demands. Thankfully, she is more organised in her defence now. This is what we have been focussing on," he says.

Since the Olympics features the mandatory continental quota which means lesser-rated players making it to the Games, Saina's chances of pulling off a surprise or two is not totally ruled out.

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