Saina Nehwal (b. 17 March, 1990) blank">Profile at website of 2006 Commonwealth Games, Melbourne is an Indian woman badminton player. She won the 2006 Philippines Open, to become the first Indian woman to win a four-star badminton event Saina claims Philippines Open title . She is currently coached by _Pullela Gopichand's Academy in Hyderabad. Previously she was coached by S. M. Arif, a Dronacharya Award winner. Her play is dominated by power. Both her parents were former state champions in Haryana. blank">Saina Nehwal — female version of Gopi Chand She has been the runner-up twice in the National women's single event, losing both times to _Aparna Popat in the final. She holds the Under-19 women's single title.She has won twice the Asian Satellite Badminton Tournament(India Chapter). Nobody did it in the past in India in women section.
In the 2006 World Junior badminton tournament when Saina lost to top seed Chinese Wang Yihan 13-21, 9-21 said, "She is a better player than I am. She recently beat seniors world number one Xie Xing Fang. But she is beatable. I can beat her."
She was signed on by the Champions Trust of London-based steel baron Lakshmi Mittal that wants to help her become an international champion.
