Malaysia Open: Saina in dream run for first world title

Saina, 25, won the India Open Super Series title last weekend after defeating former world champion Ratchanol Intanon of Thailand in straight sets of 21-16 and 21-14 in New Delhi.

The 25 year-old lass just need a semi-final victory at the championship to become the first Indian woman to be crowned as the world number one player.

"Last week at the Indian Open, I was not thinking of the number one so much. I was thinking of winning the title because I was playing in the final after four years.

"I often lose in the quarters and semis. It was the first time I played in the final in India. I never imagined that in India, where the cricket is so popular, that the stadium would be full.

"The crowd was amazing and winning in front of them was really big," she told reporters at the Malaysia Open Premier Super Series held at the Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, here, on Wednesday.

Saina, who described her consistent play as a 'dream run', continued her winning form by beating Maria Febe Kusumastuti of Indonesia, 21-13 and 21-16 at Stadium Putra.

She took just 37 minutes to outclass the 47th ranked Indonesian, who fought hard to win the second set before conceding defeat, making way for Saina to strengthen her grip at the top of the ranking by collecting more points.

The Indian national controlled the game with her powerful smashes, forcing Maria to be knocked-out at the first round of the championship.

"I never thought that I would play so consistent. I am happy to be the world number one, soemthing which I still cannot believe," she added.

Saina and Srikanth Kidambi, who won the men's singles title last weekend were the two prominent names in creating an Indian badminton legacy.

"Badminton in India has improved a lot and more youngsters are getting into it. We still need a lot of sponsorship and good infrastructure. May be in another 10 years you could see the result," she said.

Saina will face Yao Xuea of China who beat Thailand's Busanan Ongbumrungpan 21-11, 11-21 and 21-15 in the tough route to the finals, where she is expected to face top shuttlers such as Sung Ji Hyun of Korea and Taipei’s Tai Tzu Ying.

Besides her, three of her compatriots in the men's singles also entered the second round.