Hyderabad:
Barely a few weeks after being awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award by the Government of India for her superlative display in the international badminton circuit this year, Saina Nehwal will lead the Indian challenge at the World championships in Paris.
With expectations at it's highest after the girl from Hyderabad became the World No 2, Saina is fully aware that her country this time expects nothing less than the title from her.
The ace shuttler will look to replicate the kind of form, that saw her winning three back-to-back titles in June and she is training hard to remain fit for the faster courts in Paris.
At the world championship last year in Hyderabad, a bout of chicken pox had ruined Saina's preparation for the tournament.
"All over I have improved quite a lot over last year and this year, I am in much better shape. I am moving quite good on court", she said.
Aware of the tough fight that will face from the Chinese opponents Saina said, "They really will try and find out which is the area where she can be beaten. They are doing all those things. During the tournament also, they will take videos of my matches. But then, I am also going to do the same with them."
Although handed a tough draw, India fans would expect Saina to deliver another big one.