Saina ready for Chinese challenge at World C'ship

After winning three successive international tournaments, badminton maven Saina Nehwal is confident of conquering next month's World Championship in Paris.

"Considering the way I am playing and the results that I have achieved so far, I hope to win this tournament," Saina said on the sidelines of a felicitation programme in New Delhi.

The World No 3 won the India Open Grand Prix Gold in Chennai, Singapore Open Super Series and also defended her Indonesian Open Super series crown recently.

Her red-hot form also won her the captain's band for the elite competition, where India are fielding a nine-member team.

"I don't know why I have been made the captain but I can say I will give my best and cheer for my teammates. For everything else it has to be my coach Gopi sir," said Saina, who was presented with 24-carat gold coins by Premier Brands, the official sponsor of the Indian team.

The other members of the team for the August 23-29 competition, are Aditi Mutatkar, Jwala Gutta, Ashwini Ponnappa, Chetan Anand, P Kashyap, Sanave Thomas, Rupesh Kumar and V Diju.

The Hyderabadi said she laid emphasis on her fitness and strokes in the last six months and it showed in her performance.

"I worked on my fitness a lot and also playing less tournaments this year and devoting more time in training has helped me improve strokes as well. So my stamina and range of strokes came good during these matches," she said.

Saina said she does not fear facing strong Chinese players and is ready to take them on in the World Championship.

"Chinese are beatable and I have proved that in the past. They are the powerhouse of badminton but all the countries have also improved a lot now and I have always been comfortable against them," Saina said.

Asked about rankings, Saina said," It is just a number. You play well, it moves up and you lose it goes down but I want to be the No 1 and I know if I can keep doing the hard work, I will."