National Championships: Saina Nehwal vs PV Sindhu final - preview, start time and telecast information

saina nehwal pv sindhu — PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal with the trophy (Image courtesy: Badminton India Twitter)

(1) PV Sindhu (WR #2) vs (2) Saina Nehwal (WR #11)

Head-to-head: They are tied at 1-1

Last meeting: India Open 2017 Quarter-finals - Sindhu defeated Nehwal, 21-16, 22-20

All eyes were on this blockbuster match ever since it was announced that all the top players would be taking part at the National Championships this year. What could be better than seeing India's two golden girls fighting for the biggest title in the country?

They have brought laurels for India over the years and have inspired new generations of shuttlers. It is indeed a treat to see them squaring off in this final.

They are all even considering their past record at this tournament. They have both won the Senior Nationals title twice. Saina reigned supreme in back-to-back years in 2006 and 2007 while Sindhu emerged victorious in 2011 and 2013.

Form and ranking-wise, Sindhu has the edge. She has won three titles in 2017, two of which have been at the Superseries level. She also made it to the final of the World Championships and had to be content with the silver medal after a show of stamina and guts against Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara.

She got the better of Nehwal in their most recent encounter that happened to be this year at the India Open.

That said, Nehwal should never be counted out. With loads of experience, she knows when to raise her game if she can sense a lapse in concentration from her opponent. She has also proved that she has been coming back to form. Her bronze medal at the World Championships validates that.

She has not conceded a game so far en route to the summit clash. In contrast to that, Sindhu played a long and laborious semi-final against the South Asian Games champion, Ruthvika Shivani Gadde. The Rio Olympic silver medallist had to come back from a game down to get the better of her young opponent.

It is highly possible that Sindhu might be exhausted from her semi-final exploits. If she shows any kind of weariness and lacks speed, Saina would surely fancy her chances.