Saina leads Indian challenge in World Super Series

New Delhi :

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal will look to get over her recent dip in form and finish the year on a high at the season-ending World Super Series Final starting from Wednesday in Johar Bahru, Malaysia.

India's best mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju will also look to get back to winning ways after their recent inconsistent show.

The 20-year-old Saina, who won the Indonesian Super series in June, will take on Mew Choo Wong of Malaysia in a Group A match on Wednesday and national coach Pullela Gopichand is expecting the Hyderabadi to reach at least the semifinals.

"She has a very bright chance of reaching the semifinals at least. I mean looking at the draw, I will expect that from her. she didn't have a good outing in the last tournament but that is because she didn't have enough time to practice," Gopichand said.

"But we had a good week-long training and she looked in good touch. I hope she does well," he added.

The pair of Jwala and Diju, who won the Grand Prix Gold in Chinese Taipei, will also carry India's hopes when they take on the English duo of Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg on Wednesday.

"Actually we prepared well for the world super series final. We could not play well in China Open because Jwala was not well and so we had to give a walk over. But now she is fine and we hope we can do better here," Diju said.

The World Super Series Final will be played in a round-robin format before top two players from each group make it to the semi-final stage.

If two players in a group are tied on the number of matches won, then the shuttler with the most number of games won will qualify.