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New Delhi, May 12 (IANS): World Badminton Championship bronze medallist P.V. Sindhu said Monday that Thailand will be a tricky opponent for India in the Uber Cup to be held at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here May 18-25.
India have been drawn along with Thailand, Hong Kong and Canada in Group C of the World Women’s Team Championship and are expected to reach the quarters.
“Thailand will be a tricky opponent. Reigning world champion Ratchanok Intanon will be playing the first singles against with Saina Nehwal while I will face Porntip Buranaprasertsuk in the second. She (Porntip) is playing really well. I have not played her for the past few months but she will give tough competition,” Sindhu said here.
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Though the 18-year-old has a 2-1 record against World No. 9 Porntip, the Thai won the last encounter in 2013.
The Hyderabadi, who won the Asia Championship bronze last month, said she has prepared well for the biennial event but wants to be much more consistent with her form than she has been in the past.
“I am playing my best but this is only the starting for me. I have to be very consistent in every tournament and try to maintain that. I am practicing harder and working on my mistakes too,” said Sindhu.
“I hope we play well and give our 100 percent in the Uber Cup. The draw is good. Singles is going to be our strength. Saina is playing well so if me and her win the first two singles, that will be great for the whole team. We are not lacking anywhere and have good chances. Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa are also good in doubles,” said the World No.11.
Each Uber Cup tie consists of three singles and two doubles matches.
With the tournament being hosted in India for the first time, Sindhu said that the team is also banking upon crowd support.
“In individual events we play for our own sake while in team events we play for ourselves and also for the team. It is not like we are losing and everything is over. There is going to be crowd support playing at home and I hope it goes positively. We will get confidence from that and give our best,” said the Arjuna Awardee.
