India's young badminton sensation, Saina Nehwal believes she can continue with her good form in the World Championships in Paris.

By Saina Nehwal

After a long, arduous but thoroughly enjoyable journey, we reached Paris. First of all I am delighted to say that I am going into the tournament with a positive frame of mind. I understand that expectations are high.

Personally, I believe I can continue my good run from where I had left off in Indonesia two months ago.

Last year as you all know, I was down with chicken pox and missed a golden chance in front of the home crowd in Hyderabad.

However, that is a thing of the past. I am now in fine fettle. There are no fitness issues and I am just raring to go all guns blazing in France. Well, we would have all loved to be here a week in advance, as it is never easy to get acclimatised to the conditions.

But again we have no worries or complaints - that is how we go into the big tournaments sometimes. I am happy to say that this year has been fantastic for me so far, particularly the last two and a half months.

After breaking the shackles at Chennai, when I made history to win the Indian Open, there has been no looking back for me.

I carried the same form to Singapore and Indonesia. My confidence is growing everyday thanks to my coaches - mainly Pullela Gopichand, Atik and Baskarbabu.

Before coming to France, I had strenuous practice sessions at Gopichand’s academy. I have really come here as I mentioned, with a positive frame of mind. I know I will have to face a stiff challenge in Paris.

As a matter of fact, no tournament is easy these days – let alone such high-profile World Championships. The level of competition is clearly increasing all over the world. Not long back, one would be only wary of the Chinese but now the Malaysians and Indonesians are tough to handle as well.

I reckon it would be like blowing out my own trumpet if I say that my opponents consider me to be a thorn in their flesh. But the way I have progressed over the last few years, the experts have sat up and taken notice. It is their view and not mine. This is a great feeling and certainly boosts my confidence.

Finally, I would like to assure everyone back home in India of a good show in France. Over the last few years, I have always done well to live up to the expectations of all my fans, although at times it has not been easy. Irrespective of how I fare in Paris, the experience I gain here will help me immensely and help me tune up for the all important Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October.

In 2006, I could help India win a team bronze. I know it has been 32 years since Syed Modi won a Gold and since no woman has yet achieved that feat, it will be a huge motivation for me.

- As told to Sudeer Mahavaadi