For Saina Nehwal, it is all about putting up consistent performance in the upcoming India Open Super Series rather than getting cowed down by the pressure of playing in front of her home crowd.
"Pressure is always there. But it is not about pressure only. It is about how I play in the tournament and on a particular match day," Saina said on the eve of the USD 200,000 event.
In the absence of top Chinese shuttlers, Saina has been seeded number one and handed a relatively easy draw in the women's singles.
She is not expected to be challenged much before the semifinals, where she is likely to meet world no. 8, Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon, who had recently beaten her in the semi-final of the All England Championships.
But Saina insisted that none of her opponents would be easy to deal with.
"It is going to be really tough. There are so many top players in the tournament. It all depends on how well you are prepared that day. All I can say is I will try my best.
Trying to shrug off the complacency factor, Saina said that she can't take her first round oppponent lightly.
"My first round opponent --- the Indonesian (Belaetrix Manuputi) will be tough. The Chinese or the Japanese girls in the subsequent rounds are also pretty good. As far as Intanon is concerned, she played very well in the last two matches I faced her. I will have to watch her videos carefully before taking her on," Saina said at the pre-tournament press conference today.
Saina said that she was happy with her form this year.
"I am happy with my results this year. I have been playing consistently and have been regularly reaching the semifinals or finals. I think that's good," she assessed.
