New Delhi: Her talent was never in question, but now Saina Nehwal has broken another invisible barrier. Saina on Sunday won the prestigious Indonesian Super Series title and with her best years ahead of her, she is slowly coming into her own.
The young badminton player has had to play bridesmaid on a few occasions in world badminton but not anymore.
The Super Series is right up there in top flight badminton and Saina is the first Indian woman to claim the title.
"I am really happy. I can't believe it. I think I won't be able to sleep tonight. It is a very good achievement and I am really proud of myself," Saina said after her win on Sunday.
The gains of 2009 seemed to have been frittered away by an injury with first round losses in Korea, the prestigious All England and at the Asian Championships.
But in between there were signs that she was still in the hunt.
The win in Indonesia is the crowning glory with Saina beating two top Chinese women enroute to the title.
"In the last 21 days you must have seen that Saina reached the quarter-finals and semi-finals of some tournament. But she also lost in the first round in a few tournaments. But now she has achieved her dream and it is a proud day for India," Saina's father Harvir Nehwal said.
Saina's win puts her at par with two of Indian badminton's biggest names. Not only did Prakash Padukone win the All England Championship, his feats have remained unscaled. Another All England champion Pullela Gopichand is currently India's national coach.
"If you look at this tournament in terms of quality of tournament, it is as good as it can get. You will probably have the same line-up for any championships or the All England or of those tournaments," said Gopichand.
Pundits credit Saina's success to her never-say-die spirit. Many of her wins have come in tough three-setters. Now there is a world championship at home in Hyderabad in August to take another giant stride forward.
(With inputs from Preeti Singh and Digvijay Singh Deo)
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