New Delhi:
Saina Nehwal faces a tricky draw in the Asian Badminton Championships as most of the shuttlers she is likely to play against have defeated her in the past, feels national coach Pullela Gopichand.
"It is a very tricky draw for Saina. She plays a Porntip Buranaprasertsuk in the first round and Julia Pei Xian Wong in the second round. Saina have lost close matches against them in the past. So it will be a tricky," Gopichand said.
"She has to play to her full potential to beat them. If she plays even 5-10 per cent below her calibre, it will be difficult for her," he added.
Gopichand feels the mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju too stand a good chance to win this tournament considering their draw.
"They have a good chance to win this one. If Diju plays to his true potential, they should be on a roll. They are India's best chances in the ABC," Gopichand said.
The former All England champion feels although Chetan Anand's pulling out is a setback but India have players like Arvind Bhat and Anup Sridhar who can reach the quarters at least.
"Chetan pulled out with a knee injury and it is a little setback for us but it has left the draw open for Anup and if the conditions in the Siri Fort stadium favours the Indians, he should reach the quarters safely. Also Arvind should do well here," he said.