PVV Sindhu is going to the World Championships on a high. The Rio Olympics silver medallist is seeded fourth and feels that she has stands a very good chance to better the two bronze medals which she has won at the Worlds which begin in Glasgow from Monday.
“Yes, I have got my highest ranking at the Worlds and this is a very big thing for me. To be ranked fourth in the world and heading into the World Championships is something of a challenge for me. I am really looking forward to give a sterling display, “ she said.
Even the draw seems to favour Sindhu. Being seeded as high as fourth she doesn’t have to run into a tough opponent in the initial rounds—something of a bother for most players.
In fact after receiving a bye in the first round., Sindhu is expected to cross swords with unseeded Korean Kim Hyo Min in the second round. She has a fairly smooth ride thereafter and her first major rival is expected to be fifth seed Sun Yu of China in the quarter finals.
“Yes there is no doubt that I have got a good draw. But then in an event of the magnitude of the World Championships, all the players are very well prepared and at their best. So, yes I have to ensure that I have to be at my best from the Round 2 itself,” said Sindhu.
When asked who she thought was her biggest threat, Sindhu said that there were three players who were presented a threat. “The likes of Sun Yu, Carolina (Marin), Sung Ji Hyun were all real threats. These players have been in great form and I feel they have it in them to win the title,” said Sindhu. As regards her preparation for the World Championships, Sindhu said she had put in a lot of hardwork for the last one month. “I have been training very hard and worked on improving certain aspects of my game. I am looking forward to give a good show,” she promised.
Sindhu, who is currently ranked No.4 in the world, has set her sights on reaching the top spot by the end of the year.
“Currently I’m on fourth (rank) and I expect to see myself in top-three by the end of year. But I have already been in top two so I would definitely like to see myself as world number one. But for that you have to play well and if you do that, automatically ranking will come,” she said.
Sindhu cited her triumph in China Open and India Open as her high points following the silver at Rio. “I had always wanted to win a Superseries and winning those has given me confidence and happiness,” she said.
Sindhu also spoke about current World No.1 Tai Tzu Ying, whom she beat in the semifinals at the Rio Olympics.
“We haven’t played much recently. The last was Rio and All England. So I haven’t faced her recently. But she is winning a lot of matches and doing well for herself. But when it comes to me playing against her, I feel it’s going to be a good match,” she said.
Throwing light on the positive affect her Olympic medal has had on the sport, Sindhu said, “After the Olympics I’ve seen a lot of change, kids picking up badminton and also a lot of academies have come up. So, it’s a good sign and badminton as a sport is getting much more encouragement.