Mixed draw for Indian shuttlers

Indonesia Super Series champion Saina Nehwal would had very little to complain over the draw for the Yonex World Badminton Championship to be played in her backyard next month after the Hyderabadi lass was handed a bye in the first and a relatively easier second round, reports Anupma Tripathi.

Indonesia Super Series champion Saina Nehwal would had very little to complain over the draw for the Yonex World Badminton Championship to be played in her backyard next month after the Hyderabadi lass was handed a bye in the first and a relatively easier second round.

HT Image

The 19-year-old, seeded sixth, is unlikely to face any real challenge before the pre-quarterfinals where 10th seed Petya Nedelcheva of Bulgeria could be waiting before a possible clash against second seed Lin Wang of China, whom she defeated in Indonesia.

National coach and Saina's mentor, Pullela Gopichand, said as much when he told reporters after the draw ceremony in the capital. "It is a very acceptable draw. I think we should target a semifinal appearance.

However, his ward was a bit more cautious in her response to HT. "Every one comes prepare to a world championship and no match is going to be easy," Saina said.

The throw of the dice was not that kind for some of Saina's compatriots, especially in the men's singles. Chetan Anand, seeded 15th, was pitted against the dangerous Ji Hoon Song of Korea and Aravind Bhat will meet 9th seed Yu Hsing Hsieh of Chinese Taipei in the opening round. Wild card entrant P Kashyap has a easier opener against Ali Shahhosseini of Iran but second seed Chen Jin would be waiting the local boy in the next round.