Mumbai: World Badminton Championship silver-medallist Saina Nehwal is all set to become World No 1 despite the summit clash with her Spanish opponent Carolina Marin in Jakarta on Sunday.
25-year-old Saina became the first Indian to win a silver medal at the world championships. Legendary shuttler Prakash Padukone won the bronze in 1983.
Saina lost 16-21, 19-21 to Carolina and thus was unable to avenge her loss when she last faced her during the All England final in Birmingham earlier this year.
Read: It was one of my toughest matches this week: Saina Nehwal
The Indian ace -- currently on 79,192 points will gain 3600 points to pip the reigning No 1 Carolina, who will not gain anything from this victory and will remain on 80,612 points, according to a report.
Saina, who topped the ranking charts in April 2, was the first Indian to take the top spot in world rankings. She said she had committed ‘too many mistakes’ and ‘lacked patience’ that cost her the gold medal at the prestigious tournament. “I didn't play my best, I could've done better, too many mistakes in the first game. In the second, I had a lead, but points went by very quickly and within no time she was level," Saina said.
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Saina has been in a thrilling form this year and credited her success to coach Vimal Kumar. “Vimal sir's influence is the biggest change. I really want to thank him for spending so much time with me in the court and making me believe everyday that I am a champion, I can be number one,” she said.
Saina feels her decision to change base to Bangalore under Vimal's tutelage turned out to be a masterstroke as it helped her regain her game and prolong her career, which was in serious doubt last year.
Here are the highlights of Saina's achievements in 2015:
Saina won the 2015 India Open Grand Prix Gold.
She became the first Indian woman shuttler to reach the finals of All England Open Badminton Championships.
On March 29, 2015, Saina won her maiden women's singles title at the India Open BWF Super Series.
She became the first Indian female shuttler to be World No.1.
Now Saina becomes the first Indian to reach the final of the World Badminton Championship.
