I feel I've come of age with this victory: Saina

MUMBAI: The Chinese will no longer be the only ones feared on the world badminton circuit. On Sunday, an Indian teenager answering to the name of Saina Nehwal staked her claim to be counted among the very best when she displayed Chinese-like resolve and unmatched stamina levels to stun one of their ilk, World No. 3 and third seed Wang Lin 12-21, 21-18, 21-9 for her maiden Super Series title in Jakarta.
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"It's an unbelievable victory.Now, I feel I have earned my place at the top," Saina told TOI after winning the Indonesia Super Series.
Egged on by the partisan crowd at the Istora Senayan stadium who cheered vociferously for the 19-year-old Indian, Saina admitted with child-like glee that avenging last week's quarter-final loss to the former world junior champion Wang at the Singapore Super Series was uppermost in her mind.
"She beat me 21-14 in the decider in Singapore City. The only thing I told myself before the final game was that I have to beat her under 10. And it was unbelievably satisfying to achieve that against the world's third ranked player," she laughed.
Mental toughness, physical fitness and a brilliant mix of attack and defence game is what separates the Chinese from the rest, and Saina accounted for two of their best players (former World No. 2 Lu Lan and Lin) in as many days ending the bipolarity in the badminton world. Such is the Chinese dominance on the world stage that Danish World No. 2 Tine Rasmussen is the only non-Chinese in the top-10 apart from Saina, and a Super Series win stamped the Indian's foray into the elite league. It was her third title following her Philippines Open (2006), Chinese Taipei GP Gold (2008) successes.
"It's nice to have beaten the Chinese at their own game. I feel equal to them now," said a proud Saina. "I was clearly the fitter player today. Lin was tiring in the decider and the fact that I won 16 of the last 18 points speaks volumes of my improved fitness levels and strong mental approach," said Saina who collected 9000 points and $18,750 for her stupendous effort.
She is likely to rise two slots to No 6 when the world rankings are released on Thursday.
Saina's victory at this level can be talked about in the same breath as Prakash Padukone and Gopi Chand's All England triumphs. Saina said it's a privilege to be mentioned along with the Indian legends. "I always thought when would I be competing at that level....when would I make a Super Series final. It's very motivating to have realised that dream," said Saina, the lone Indian woman to have won a Super Series title.
Change in approach
Saina, who was advised by her coach Gopichand to add more variety to her game after the Hyderabadi's heart breaking quarter-final loss at the Beijing Olympics, said the change in approach was paying off.
"Gopi sir felt the all out attacking approach meant I was exposing my range of shots to my opponent which helped them figure me out. Initially I didn't think shifting from attack���which is my main strength���would pay off. After almost nine months of discussions, I tried blending my attack with defence during the Sudirman Cup and it paid off right away. I've also become a lot more patient now. I realised I've lost too many matches by getting excited at the verge of a victory and I'm glad I kept my nerve today."
Coming of age as a player
Saina, who always maintained that having coach Gopi around was a comforting factor as he knew her game like no one else, dedicated her victory to her mentor.
"He deserves the credit. And the fact that I won at this level without him makes me feel that I've learnt something from him. I feel I've come of age with this victory." Saina though acknowledged that India's Indonesian coach Atik Jauhari's inputs were of great help.
"Initially I couldn't focus on the match as it was my first final. Atik told me to get into the game by playing more rallies."
QnA: Will Saina be better than Sania Mirza?