E-Paper
Saina stumbles, semifinal chances bleak
Saina Nehwal is virtually out of the semifinal race of the BWF World Super Series Finals after losing her second consecutive women's singles Group B match in the $,500,000 event in Shenzen on Thursday.
Saina Nehwal is virtually out of the semifinal race of the BWF World Super Series Finals after losing her second consecutive women's singles Group B match in the $,500,000 event in Shenzen on Thursday.
The world No 3 Indian surrendered 13-21, 16-21 to Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand, a day after Denmark's Tine Baun stunned Saina.
Saina will next play world No 4 Juliane Schenk of Germany against whom the Indian has won seven of their 10 encounters.
Saina will now have to win big against Juliane besides keeping an eye on the outcome of the other group matches to keep her semi-final hopes alive.
‘Lonely at the top’
Saina admits it's “tough” to be a champion and it gets “lonely” at the top. “Looking back, I feel it is tough to be a champion. It gets lonely at the top," she said.
The hectic daily routine, however, doesn't allow her to feel the loneliness.
“But then again, you don't have the time to think about the loneliness. You just have time to train, eat, sleep and get up again, so there is no time left to feel bad.”
