Lucknow: Having snapped a 15-month title drought today by clinching the Syed Modi International title, Saina Nehwal said it was a difficult comeback to make and took a lot of hard work.
"The comeback was not very easy for me. I had trained very hard with Gopi sir and I want to give him full credit for this victory," said Saina after winning the India Grand Prix Gold, which will fetch her 7000 ranking points.
"Staging a comeback wasn't easy. I gave my 100 per cent today and I am happy to win my first title after a gap of 15 months," she added.
After defeating compatriot P V Sindhu 21-14 21-17 in the women's singles competition to clinch the much-needed title, the two-time winner said it was an unbelievable feeling.
"I am very happy to have won. It is still unbelievable that this has happened. I was little nervous as I was playing in a final after a long time. But things went well for me," said the top seeded Saina, who had last reached a final in the French Super Series in October, 2012.
"It's an emotional moment for me. Loved the support I got. Lucknow has been my favourite city, I won my first title here in 2009. It feels good to win again. The win was more special as it came after such a long time," she added.
The London Olympics bronze medallist said she wants to dedicate the win to her parents and her mentor and chief coach Pullela Gopichand.
"I am very happy that my efforts have borne fruit and I dedicate this victory to Gopi sir and my parents," said Saina.
The Commonwealth Games champion also heaped praise on her opponent Sindhu.
"Sindhu played very well. I needed many improvement in myself and I am happy that I kept my momentum going.
"It was a great match and the crowd enjoyed it. She is great player, and also in top-10. I am happy that I pulled it off," said the Hyderabadi.
"I am happy with my fitness, and I wasn't expecting an easy match against Sindhu, as we play together and know each others' tactics very well," she added.
Meanwhile, Sindhu said she committed a lot of unforced errors.
"I committed many unforced errors and that's the reason why I lost in straight games. In fact, I was leading in the second game, but couldn't keep my momentum going," she said.
Sindhu said she had not made any strategies against Saina.
"Saina is my senior and I had no certain plans against her before the start of the match," she insisted.
National champion K Srikanth went down fighting against China's Xue Song 21-16 19-21 13-21 in the men's singles final.
Srikanth admitted it was disappointing to lose after winning the opening game.
"It was really disappointing. After winning the first game easily, I wanted to continue my good run. In the second game too I had a good lead of seven points. But somehow I lost my rhythm and went on conceding points after points," he said.
