Saina Nehwal close to No. 1 spot

HYDERABAD: Saina Nehwal's long cherished dream of becoming the world No.1 is more or less likely to become a reality by April 2. The 25-year-old, by far the best ever woman shuttler India have ever produced, will realise her dream if she manages to reach the final of the India Open Super Series to be held in Delhi next week.

Saina is the top seed at the tournament and is expected to reach the title round without sweating. The Indian had regained her best-ever ranking of world No.2 last Thursday and the only factor that can deny her the top spot is if she loses in the semifinal and Carolina Marin of Spain wins the tournament.

However, as the field looks very weak at the India Open, Saina is the overwhelming favourite to reach the final. And the way Saina has been playing in the last few weeks, Marin is the only player who can stop her. But the Spaniard is in the lower-half of the draw and may meet Saina only in the final.

Moreover Marin had pulled out of next month's Singapore Open and hence there are doubts about her participation in the Delhi tournament. If that happens, then Saina will wear the crown when the rankings are released on April 2.

"Saina can become No.1 this time. The only thing she needs is to reach the final. Even if she loses in the semis she can still become No.1 if Marin loses in final," said Maqdoom Ahmed, badminton sports analyst of the Sports Authority of India.

China's Olympic champion Li Xuerui is the reigning world No.1 with 79214 ranking points and she is set to lose her top spot as she skipped the India Open. Xuerui, who was the runner-up at India Open last year, will also have to forego 7800 points for skipping the meet and is likely to slip to World No.3.

World No.2 Saina has 74381 points and a final appearance will take her to 77141 points.

World No.4 Marin has 72098 points and even if she wins the tournament she will get to 76398 points.

But if Saina loses in semis she will be at 757612 and Marin must win the Super Series to become No.1. World No.3, Shixian Wang of China, who is the reigning India Open champion, is also not defending her title.

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