Grappling with lack of form, Saina Nehwal will have to raise her game if she hopes to end the year on a high when she starts her campaign in the women's singles of the season-ending BWF World Superseries badminton Finals in China from Wednesday.
The 21-year-old Indian had an indifferent year in 2011 and she will look to make an impact when she starts her campaign in Group ‘B' against Bae Youn Joo of Korea in the first round on Wednesday. The World No. 4 has been clubbed along with China's Xin Wang and Sato Sayaka of Japan, beside Joo, and the first step for the Indian will be to qualify for the elimination round.
Joo is ranked ninth in the World and Saina has a 3-1 record against the Korean. The Arjuna Awardee will look to keep the slate clean. However, Sayaka has a 1-1 record against Saina and had defeated her early this year at the Korean Open though the Indian was quick to avenge her loss in the Indonesian Open Super Series in June.
The toughest opponent for Saina will be World No. 3 Xin Wang, who has always enjoyed an upper hand against the Indian, defeating her four times. The only time Saina managed to beat the Chinese was during the Sudirman Cup in May and she will have to tread her path carefully when she meets her.
Saina had to skip this tournament last year after injuring her ankle during the Hong Kong Open Super Series triumph.
