Hyderabad, June 27 (IANS) ‘We are very proud of her. Her victory proves that women are doing well in sports in India,’ the elated parents of Saina Nehwal said Sunday after she won the Indonesian Open Super Series, her third win in three weeks.
‘In India women are coming up, and she has shown to the entire world that yes, I can come up to those countries which are known as the hub of badminton,’ Saina’s father Harvir Singh said, his voice choked with emotion.
Saina defeated Japan’s Sayaki Sato 21-19, 13-21, 21-11 in the final held at Jakarta Sunday.
The World No.3 defended her title in Jakarta. She had earlier won the Indian Open Grand Prix and the Singapore Open Super Series in the last two weeks.
Asked if he was nervous when Saina lost the second set against Sato, Singh said: ‘I was nervous a bit, but we were hopeful that Saina would come back. Because in the past too, after losing she had came back strongly.’
‘It’s a wonderful feeling and we are very proud of her,’ he added.
Usha Nehwal, Saina’s mother, was busy answering congratulatory phone calls from friends and relatives.
‘Sato was pretty fast but Saina maintained a rhythm and played good strokes. We will give her a grand welcome when she comes home,’ said Usha.
