Tough but CM was overcome in two sets. Pretty good. Great that Saina didn't get distracted by the shouting but then again, Saina is one of the best at blocking out distractions.
Holy Gargoyles you saw the "extra unconventional" defensive shots, I was like "ok that was a shot in desperation" but then again and again and hard to admit but she has kinda changes her game. Always a extra twist n turn of the wrist during the return of the serve and also when under pressure and down to retrieving.
Absolutely clueless against AY. A really painful loss, she won't be able to forget it for a long time. It's even more painful since AY are amongst the players she shouldn't have much trouble against. Let's just hope French open is whole another story
Can't see Saina winning a SS title again, due to Japanese duo Akane and Nozomi and Tai. I think after next Olympics she will retire. She just hasn't got stamina like Nozomi or as fast like Tai or Akane.
I wouldn't count Saina out. She has the greatest fighting spirit in the world. I mean she has TERRIBLE footwork and speed(That isn't entirely her fault, she has arthritis in her ankles), compared to today's women's singles players her technical and attacking skills really aren't that special, there are players WAY better in those departments, and her physical fitness is good, but there are some players, like the ones you mentioned who are probably better in that department. All this may be true, but Saina's greatest strength isn't found in her body or her racket, it's in her heart. Saina has serious fighting spirit, that none of these players have, indeed, none of the women's singles players I see in the world today (including her compatriot Sindhu). All talent, speed, skill, all of it has to fall before will power and determination. Muhammad Ali said it best, "The Will must be stronger than the Skill". I still see that same fighting spirit in Saina (Her worlds medal is proof of that, and it very easily could have been a different colour). Such a spirit cannot be counted out.
I can see Nozomi has the same if not bigger fighting spirit as Saina, the same may also happens with Akane. Anyway, I also see Saina winning 1 or 2 SS, but not more than that.
Saina Nehwal acknowledges her speed and fitness are below par and she is working on it. Link: https://www.sportskeeda.com/badmint...&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=sportskeeda Excerpt: I need more time to get to full fitness: Saina by Press Trust of India 47 mins ago New Delhi, Dec 31 (PTI) Recovering from an ankle injury, star India shuttler Saina Nehwal said she will look to get back to her full fitness during the three weeks break after the India Open next month. "I had this ankle injury before this tournament, so I am playing a match after three weeks, there was this ankle inflammation. In the morning when I was practicing there was some pain. Ankle injury is tough because the lunges depend on the ankles," Saina said. "I will get more time, 2-3 weeks after India open. After the World Championship there was not enough time when I joined Gopi sir, there were too many tournaments and after that I had this injury. It is still not upto the mark. There is a lot of speed still required, I need to be in best shape to play against the best," she added. Fitness and stamina are important and game comes only after that. I don't want to keep any targets, keep body fit and rest will follow." Reflecting on the PBL match against Michelle, Saina said: "She is a sharp player, today all her shots were going to lines and it was difficult for me to take those lunges as there was restriction for me. I had 2-3 days to train before PBL, so I can't push suddenly. "My body was stiff, I was sluggish. I got little rhythm back in second game, I didn't play a great match. I pulled off a win because of fighting spirit today and I am happy to win the match.
