Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth Eye Good Show at World Superseries Finals
Saina Nehwal, who is making a comeback an injury will be hoping for a good show at the World Superseries. Kidambi Srikanth, meanwhile, has been in good form and had reached the semi-finals of the event last year.
After a much-needed rest following an injury, Saina Nehwal will look eager to regain her form, while Kidambi Srikanth would be hoping to carry on his confidence from Indonesia Masters when the Indian duo face the best in business at the BWF World Superseries Finals starting in Dubai on Wednesday. (Read More in Badminton)
London Olympic bronze medallist, Saina was left nursing her achilles tendon after her runners-up finish at the China Superseries Premier last month.
Saina, who next missed the Hong Kong Open and had to race against time to get to full fitness, will face Japan's Nozomi Okuhara in her opening Group A women's singles match at the Hamdan Sports Complex. (Saina Nehwal Nominated For Woman Player of the Year Award)
"It is always difficult to fight with the top players in badminton. I will give my best to show my performance," said Saina, who had to undergo a scan to diagnose her Achilles tendon problems and was prescribed rest.
Srikanth, meanwhile, has been blowing hot and cold this season as he won the Swiss Open and India Open early in the season before stumbling on a rough patch where he made many early exits. (Premier Badminton League Auction: Saina Nehwal Matches Lee Chong Wei as Costliest Player)
But the 22-year-old from Kuntur has finished runners-up last week at Indonesia Masters Grand Prix Gold and would look to carry on the form when he faces Japan's Kento Momota, a formidable rival against whom he has a 3-3 record.
"It has been a difficult season in the second half. I hope to do well in the season-ending event," said Srikanth, who lost to Tommy Sugiarto in the finals of Indonesia Masters Grand Prix Gold last Sunday.
The 2011 finalist, Saina has a 4-0 record against Nozomi, having beaten her twice this season at the Badminton Asia Championship in April and China Open last month.ÂÂ
The 25-year-old, who reached the finals of All England, World Championship and China Open, has been clubbed with World No. 1 Carolina Marin of Spain and Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei in Group A. (Could Have Won More Titles if I Was Injury-Free: Saina Nehwal)
Saina has a 5-5 head-to-head record against Ying but she had lost to her in their only meeting this year at the Asia Championship, while she lost twice to Marin at the All England and World Championship.
In men's singles, World No. 9 Srikanth will be up against Chinese Taipei's Chou Tien Chen and Denmark's Viktor Axelsen during the Group B round-robin matches.
Srikanth had beaten Chou at the Hong Kong Open last year, while against Axelsen, he has a 2-0 record, having defeated the Danish twice this year at Swiss Open and India Open.
Two players will qualify from each group in the round-robin stage to compete in the semifinals.
Saina and Srikanth had reached the semi-finals of the prestigious event last year.