Fit and raring to go, ace India shuttler Saina Nehwal today said that the onus would be on her to boost the team's confidence and get the momentum going by winning her first singles match in the upcoming Li-Ning BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals here.
There will be three singles and two doubles during the tournament and while Saina will be playing the first singles, P V Sindhu will be competing in the second rubber of Uber Cup.
"First singles makes a lot of difference. It will be crucial for the players ahead. I have to be very focused. If I could perform well in my opening singles match, it will boost the confidence of others also," Saina said at the launch of the prestigious event today.
"Hope we win my and Sindhu's singles, as well as Jwala (Gutta) and Ashwini (Ponnappa) in doubles. I hope we as a team perform well.
"Momentum is very important. Starting has to be good. If first singles does not go well then there is a lot of pressure on the shuttler playing the second singles," she added.
The London Olympics bronze medallist expressed confidence of the team making the semifinals of May 18-25 event.
"Everyone is playing well. Indian players' performances were good in ABC (Asian Badminton Championship). I did not play in ABC as I wanted to recover (from my injuries) and train hard for Uber Cup. I have been working hard for last one month and practising hard for last 4-5 days here. I will give my 100 per cent. I can see everyone working hard.
"For Uber Cup, we have a good chance of making the semifinals," said Saina.
In Uber Cup, India have been clubbed with Thailand, Canada and Hong Kong and Saina felt the Southeast Asian side will be the toughest.
"Thailand will be tough because all of them are very good. Their all three singles are very strong. Even their doubles is strong. But recently Jwala and Ashwini had beaten them at ABC so they would be having the upper hand at the moment. But singles is going to be difficult.
"Ratchanok (Intanon) is a good, strong player. Porntip (Buranaprasertsuk) is also very strong competitor. Nichaon Jindapon might play the third singles. But then it's a team competition and pressure will on on them as well," said Saina.
"Whichever team will be able to handle pressure better will win. So, lets see how it goes," said the 24-year-old.
