Saina would have won anyway: Gopichand
August 4th, 2012 - 9:31 pm ICT by IANSLondon, Aug 4 (IANS) Minutes after Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal was awarded the women’s singles bronze medal play-off against Xin Wang of China Saturday, mentor and coach Pullela Gopichand said she would have won anyway if the match had gone on in spite of Saina losing the first game.
“It was unfortunate that Wang had to retire. I feel that Saina would have won anyway if the match would have gone on,” said national coach Gopichand here at the Wembley Arena.
“It is a great victory and this is huge for Indian badminton. Saina was shocked when she lost the first game. Nevertheless a win is a win,” added Gopi Chand.
A former All England champion, Gopichand also felt that the Chinese shuttler was getting a little weary as the match progressed.
“She was a little tired and I think she pushed herself a little too much.”
Saina Nehwal’s Olympic bronze medal ended India’s badminton campaign on a successful note. Earlier in the tournament, Parupalli Kashyap became the first male player from the country to reach the quarters only to lose against top seed Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia.
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- Saina aims for greater feats after Olympic bronze (Lead) - Aug 07, 2012
- My aim is to reach top 15: Kashyap - Aug 29, 2012
- Superb Saina wins India's third medal at London Olympics (India Round-up) - Aug 04, 2012
- Chinese badminton head coach blames referee for player's injury - Aug 05, 2012
- Olympics: Triple jumpers fail, Saina gets rousing reception (India Lead) - Aug 07, 2012
- Olympics: Saina, Vijender within sniffing distance of a medal (Overall Roundup) - Aug 03, 2012
- Sachin gives away BMW to Saina Nehwal - Aug 20, 2012
- Olympics: Saina first Indian shuttler in semis, Paes-Sania advance (India Intro Roundup) - Aug 03, 2012
- Andhra celebrates second bronze medal at Olympics - Aug 04, 2012
- Saina carrying India's hopes at World Badminton in London - Aug 07, 2011
- Lee Chong Wei, Yihan Wang win singles title at Malaysia Open - Jan 15, 2012
- Olympic badminton: Saina brings India third medal (Second Lead) - Aug 04, 2012
Tags: all england, badminton, china, england champion, first game, gopichand, India, lee chong wei, london, match, mentor, national coach, olympic bronze medal, quarters, saina nehwal, spite, victory, wembley arena, xin wang