From paperback thrillers to hardbound dreams...

After a dream 2006, where she stormed onto the scene with some marquee wins, Nehwal has had to battle her sophomore year absorbing more losses than wins and copping more pressure than praise while finding her feet in badminton’s senior level. With the spotlight on her at home in the $120,000 Indian Open starting on April 1, the Hyderabadi is determined to not let the pressure wreck her nerves.

Eye-opening year

“Playing under pressure doesn’t win you matches — it simply ruins performance. I know I have to win games. That’s all that will make people happy,” Nehwal says. “But If I set out trying to prove a point to everyone, I’ll just put more pressure on myself. Last year was an eye-opener.”

“I’ve played a few top-10 players in the last one year. And in most close matches, I’ve played negative in the end, trying to hurry it up. It was clearly lack of experience against the biggies. I don’t want to repeat those mistakes — just stay relaxed,” she stresses.

Practicing for the last one week in Hyderabad after returning from the Swiss Open, the world number 27 is keen on leaving an impression on her adopted city, where she based herself to rise to national dominance.

She hasn’t notched any big wins here, though. “I played just the 2005 ABC and lost in the pre-quarters — not much to show,” she says. The women’s event boasts of a strong field, with world Nos 1, 3 and 4 expected. “I promise I’ll put up a good fight. But can’t say which round I’ll reach,” Nehwal says, talking of her chances in what will be India’s grandest badminton extravaganza.

The biggest home-crowds that Nehwal has played in front of were at the 2006 November Asian satellite event in Mumbai — a title that she won.

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