Saina wants to put pressure on the Chinese in run-up to Olympics

Already assured of a berth in the Olympics, Saina Nehwal said she would look to beat the Chinese shuttlers in the run-up to the London Games to gain a psychological advantage ahead of the big event.

With the Olympics about three months away, the world number five Indian said she is in the best position to win a medal this time around.

"I played well in the Swiss Open and I am in good form this time. But it is not easy to compete with the Chinese at the top level. Last one year was tough for me, I had an ankle injury and my form also dipped but I'm happy to have regained my form before the Olympics," said Saina, who defended her Swiss Grand Prix Gold title in March.

"In the run-up to the Games, I would play against a lot of Chinese players. It would be like one against seven Chinese and I want to put pressure on them by beating them, so that they can also be under some tension before the Olympics," she added.

Speaking about the Olympics, Saina said: "It is a mental challenge more than a physical one. I have to be more patient and have control over the mind during the Olympics. There is lots of expectations."

The 22-year-old said she is a much better player than she used to be four years back when she participated in the Beijing Olympics.

"I am a better player now. I am more confident and my strokes and speed have also improved and I have also grown stronger mentally. It is very different this time because people expect me to win a gold.

"2008 (Olympics) loss is difficult to forget but I have learnt to get over losses now. I have been playing international badminton for the last 10 years and have lost and won many matches but it is always difficult to get over an Olympic or a World Championship loss," she insisted.

Saina also said she would depend on her rallies more to compete with the Chinese as she is very fit now after losing more than 5kgs to gain speed.