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Last chance for Saina to win a title in 2013

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Many consider 13 to be an unlucky number. Saina Nehwal, without a title in '13, will look to prove that wrong when she takes a shot at the BWF Super Series Finals in Kuala Lumpur, the last major tournament of the season, in an attempt to close the year on a winning note.



 It hasn't been that bad a year for Saina as it appears to be. The fact that she qualified for the Finals as the second seed shows that she is still among the best in the world.



 The eight best Super Series performers of the year - not more than two from one country - qualify for this year-end super event, which kicks off at the Malaysian capital on Wednesday.



 Saina, the only Indian to qualify for this prestigious event, left for Kuala Lumpur with her mentor Pullela Gopichand on Saturday.



 She will open against Minastu Mitani of Japan in the first of the round-robin matches. Clubbed in a tough group which also has Olympic champion Li Xuerui of China and Bae Yeon Ju of Korea, Saina is aware of the tough times ahead.



"I know it's not going to be easy. All seven players are quite tough to beat and are in great form," Saina said, adding that she was happy with her preparations. "I was satisfied with my practice. I got two weeks and worked very hard. I know two weeks are not enough, but I made good use of the time available," she added.



 Sania knows it's not going to be easy against Xuerui. Even Bae beat her twice this year. But the Hyderabad girl is banking on the Malaysian courts, where the shuttles are fast and favour Saina's style of play. "If the courts are fast, I will have a chance. But we never know, it all depends on the organizers," Saina said.



 Gopichand admitted that his ward may have a tough time in Malaysia. "It is difficult. But we have a game plan, let us see. Saina has the quality to raise her game on the big occasions," Gopi said.



 Group A comprises Shixian, Porntip Buranaprasertsuk (Thailand), Sun Ji Hyun (Korea) and Tzu Ying Tai (Chinese Taipei). The top two from each group will make the semifinals.




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