Asian Games| It's crazy how it feels as if you're playing against so many of them, says Saina Nehwal

Nehwal got past Indonesian teenager Fitriani 21-6, 21-14 in just 31 minutes to sail into the women's singles quarter-finals after her second-round win at the Asian Games on Saturday. The 19-year-old Fitriani tried to come back in the second game by forcing Nehwal into errors, but the Indian veteran kept her calm. The 28-year-old Nehwal, who won her second Commonwealth gold in April, said playing against the backdrop of an intimidating crowd is always tricky.

“Easy win but a tough match. She has been playing well. She is not an easy opponent to play against. The crowd was with her. It's crazy. It's how football or cricket matches are. You have to play against so many of them. Sometimes it plays in your head,” Nehwal said. 

Saina stated how Fitriani took good advantage of the crowd support and tried to compel her into making errors, but Saina stayed compact throughout the game and didn't let anything affect her. 

“When you keep losing points then crowd support really helps. In the second game she started well and went up to 8-4 but I am happy I could come back. Sometimes when there are long rallies and conditions are difficult you might have some shots that you hit into the net or miss out on. You have to control your game, be calm and relaxed,” she said. 

Former world number one, Nehwal, who has won over 23 international titles, said tournaments like the Asian Games and Olympics are always unpredictable.

“Playing (in these big tournaments) is not easy because there's a lot of expectation, especially from yourself. Whoever comes out with that pressure is champion.Every big tournament like the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, Olympics is tough because it's not about whom you are playing, but the battle with yourself is the toughest. It (only) comes (every) four years so it's not easy to take that away from your mind. You try and be relaxed and calm but somewhere deep inside that plays a role,” Saina concluded.