Expecting positive results from Saina: Gopichand

New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) Chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand said here Sunday that he is expecting positive results from his star protege Saina Nehwal in the near future.

Saina begins her India Open Super Series campaign at the Siri Fort Sports Complex from Wednesday when she will take on unseeded Austrian Simone Prutsch in the opener.

“It has been just two weeks we got back from Swiss Open out of which the first three days were spent in jet lag and travelling. We had about 10 days to prepare for India Open. Saina is getting better and I can see positive results coming. It is just a matter of couple of wins which will give her confidence,” Gopichand said, adding that the World No.8 is injury free currently.

After winning the India Grand Prix Gold in January, Saina was ousted from the quarterfinals of both the All-England Open and the Swiss Open this month.

A former All-England champion, Gopichand said that this year’s India Open is seeing its toughest draw in all its editions.

“The draw for the entire group is tough. All top players are playing. It is the toughest India Open we have had in all its editions. But that’s what we are supposed to do. If we have to face tough competition then we better face it in our own conditions,” he added.