New Delhi: World No.1 Tai Tzu Ying might have proved to be a nemesis for both Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu in the recent past, but the former said Tuesday that the Taiwanese is not unbeatable and exuded confidence of defeating her in due time.
Tzu, who clinched five titles last year, has defeated Saina nine times in their last 10 meetings with only three of them going into a decider, albeit for a lost cause. Last Sunday, Saina suffered her seventh straight loss to the Taiwanese at the Indonesia Masters final. Sindhu has lost eight of her meetings with the Taiwanese.
“You see the number of tournaments she has been won last year, so it is not only the Indians who are losing to her. She is the best player right now, she is tricky, very focused and consistently reaching the finals and we have to look up to her,” Saina told reporters.
“There are some players who you are not comfortable against, but it is not that we can’t beat her. Tai Tzu almost lost to Michelle Li in the first round at Indonesia, so we will have to figure out a way to beat her. I think it is a matter of time, we have it in us to do well against her,” added the former World No.1.
Sindhu have lost her last four encounters against Tzu. “She (Tzu) is definitely doing well and when you are mentioning about the losses, you also have to mention that I had beaten her in the PBL earlier this month,” Sindhu reminded reporters with a smile.
“Well, of course it was different scoring system. She is doing well, she is consistent. But it’s not like we can’t beat her. I always feel it depends on how one plays on that day, we might have ups and downs and we need to be focused to beat her,” she added.
Saina, who recovered from an ankle injury, to enter her first major final at Jakarta, since the Rio Olympics, said more than the results, she is looking to stay fit.
“The only thing I am looking to do is stay fit and train hard and yes it has been an excellent week at Indonesia for me. Thanks to Gopi sir, I came out with a good result,” Saina pointed out.
Asked how she will handle the workload during the hectic season ahead, Saina snapped: “I am not looking forward to any tournament, just want to stay fit.”
Both Saina and Sindhu have been termed ‘main title-contenders’ at the upcoming Indian Open Super Series event. Sindhu, however, stated that it will be a tough tournament for both.
“Each round would be tough, so we should prepare one match at a time. I know I won last time and Saina also won in 2015, so we will have to give our best. Titles don’t come easily,” stated Sindhu.
press trust of india
