It is easy to write something about a
player after he/she has won something big.
I am writing this right after Saina Nehwal has lost her semi finals to
Wang Yihan in the Olympics today.
I have to confess; I have not seen a lot of
Saina before the Olympics. I have
watched her play a few times here and there and read about her exploits over
the past couple of years. I was very impressed
with what I saw. There is lots to like
about this young lady and very little to criticize. She has a complete game and seems unfazed by
whatever is happening around her. I am
sure she was feeling the pressure of the nation as she played the Olympics –
but looking at her, you could hardly tell.
I compared her facial expressions from the final points in her win in
the quarter finals against Tina Baun and the loss in the semi-finals to Wang–
to see if she was reacting differently to win and loss. Nothing.
Reminded me of another great player of the modern age whom I see displaying the same quality – Roger Federer. Like it says in the famed walls at Wimbledon “If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same….”
Reminded me of another great player of the modern age whom I see displaying the same quality – Roger Federer. Like it says in the famed walls at Wimbledon “If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same….”
Her court speed and all-court game seems to
be her obvious strengths. Her line
calling was not great – she lost too many points by guessing wrong. And her smash needs to get stronger. She looked at least a foot shorter than her
last 3 opponents – and one wonders if that is too huge a disadvantage for
her. I am no expert in this game; my
only advice to her would be to start faster off the blocks. Badminton is such a quick game and I feel
someone who takes a quick lead increases his or her chances of success
disproportionately.
Saina – well played, it was great watching
you. Hope you win the bronze.
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