S.Ramu
Edelweiss Financial Services, a multi-crore company with the Insurance, housing finance and credit businesses, roped in the ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal as its brand ambassador when she was World No-1 in 2015. The mega deal helped Saina not to worry about her finances but, alas, victories deluded her and she slid to eight position within no time.
Sporting her sponsor, the Edelweiss’ brand logo on a pink jersey and holding a racquet with a pink grip, Saina was chasing rainbows when she landed in Sydney to take part in the Xiamenair Australian Open Super Series tournament held from June 7 to 12.
Thankfully, Saina continued to be a revelation from day-1, came out with stunning victories and ultimately clinched her first championship on the MetLife BWF World Superseries tour in more than a year in the land of Kangaroos. She burnt China’s Sun Yu 11-21, 21-14, 21-19 in a 72-minute-thriler on the final day, much to the joy of herself, her coach, parents and most importantly Indian fans! Thus, she broke her title drought in 2016.
Coming from the behind with a lot of tenacity, Saina finished the game with aplomb and let out a mellifluous scream, a perfect mixture of joy, disbelief and relief. Having failed to reach a World Superseries final since last November and in the face of the fast approaching Rio Olympics (to be held little over a month), the 26-year-old Saina was badly in need of this victory.
“Seriously I was not expecting to win this tournament as I’m still trying to get back my form. Today was extremely tough. My body was not reacting well,” recalled Saina, who took the shape of an international star in Hyderabad.
The London Olympic bronze medallist, Saina showed her killer instinct when she decimated the 2016 trailblazer Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand in quarter-finals and China’s World No. 2 Wang Yihan in the semifinals. Saina received a big boost as she outsmarted 2011 world champion and 2012 Olympic silver medallist Yihan 21-8, 21-12 in just over half an hour in the semi-finals.
Two years after she first lifted the title, Saina became the first shuttler to win the Australian Open for a second time. This was Saina’s first final after she lost to Li Xuerui in China last November. The win also rapidly improves her chances of a second consecutive podium finish at the Rio Olympics 2016.
Despite her technical prowess and quick movement, Saina’s fitness was the one area of great concern. On top of it, she had to leave her mentor Pullela Gopichand a couple of years ago to find out a coach Vimal Kumar in the neighbouring Karnataka State. Her decision was put to test every time exerting more pressure on Saina.
On his part, Vimal too worked really hard and he pinned a lot of hopes on the promising Saina. She delivered the goods at right time with a grand style and proved her detractors wrong.
