Happy to see Saina Nehwal play an attacking game: coach Vimal Kumar

New Delhi: Saina Nehwal's personal coach Vimal Kumar is happy that Australian Open Super Series champion "attacked well" and displayed more determination during her hard-earned win over China's Sun Yu.

"She (Saina) started bit slowly today but I am happy to see her attacking well. She did not get the length initially as Sun was dictating the rallies. The most important thing today was her determined play. She really wanted to win badly and that made the difference," Vimal said on Saina's victory.

Saina Nehwal poses with the winner's trophy after defeating China's Sun Yu in the final at the Australian Open. AFP

"In my opinion, she is moving much faster and attacking than ever before. This win should spur her preparations towards the Olympic Games in August. There is a lot of scope for improvement and the next six to seven weeks, which will help her prepare better. It is a good result for Saina," the coach was impressed with his student's progress.

The positive for Vimal has been Saina's ability to come out of tough situations.

"Definitely she wriggled out of some tough stages against Ratchanok and today against Sun Yu."

The 26-year-old eked out a 11-21, 21-14, 21-19 over the World No 12 Sun in a fighting summit clash that lasted an hour and 11 minutes.

It is Saina's second Australian Open victory, having clinched the title in 2014 as well. It ended a rather long title drought for the Indian, whose previous title was at the India Super Series in New Delhi last year.

Saina had become the first Indian woman shuttler to reach the World No 1 on 2 April, 2015, last year, following her title win at the India Open. She won a silver at the World Championship in August in Jakarta, Indonesia. She also reached the finals of the China Open Super Series Premier in November but a nagging ankle injury saw her form dip as she missed a series of events before making a comeback at the India Open.

She registered a series of semifinal finishes at the India Open, Malaysia Open and Badminton Asia Championships. She also won a bronze, her second, in the Asian Championships. In June, she reached the quarters at the Indonesia Open Superseries Premier.

Source: Happy to see Saina Nehwal play an attacking game: coach Vimal Kumar