Last year's runner-up P.V. Sindhu is aiming to go a step better at the $120,000 India Grand Prix Gold this time around, the main draw of which starts at the Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium here Wednesday.
The World Championship bronze medallist, who lost the last women's singles final here to Indonesian Lindaweni Fanetri, said she is keen to win the title with a prize cheque of $9,000.
"This is the start to a new year and I will give my best here. I think this has been a very good tournament for me. I reached the final last time and I will try to better my performance this year," said the World No.11.
But the Hyderabadi, who has been seeded second here, added that the journey in the tournament is not going to be easy.
"It is going to be tough as there are many good players in the draw and there are some Chinese players as well who can never be taken lightly. I can't afford to take any match lightly," said the 18-year-old.
Badminton afficionados could be up for a treat as top seed and World No.8 Saina Nehwal can face Sindhu in the final.
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Though the duo have never met in a Badminton World Federation (BWF) tournament, Saina beat Sindhu twice during the Indian Badminton League (IBL). But the teenage Sindhu is only taking one match at a time.
"I am going to take one round at a time and go step by step. Rest we will see how things turn out," said Sindhu, who has a good chance to return to the top-10 this week.
The Arjuna Awardee opens her campaign against Malaysia's Li Lian Yang Wednesday.