HYDERABAD: Saina Nehwal, India’s ace woman shuttler by virtue of her winning the Super Series Indonesian Open singles title recently, is now has ranked World No. 6 (she was earlier World No. 7), according to the latest rankings released by the Badminton World Federation. Incidentally, this is the best-ever world ranking by any Indian woman shuttler.

Saina expressed happiness but at the same time reminded that these rankings may not mean much as there is very little gap between the top-10 players. “The significance of this ranking is that it has come ahead of the prestigious World Championship and should definitely have its own value,” she remarked.

The champion shuttler also said that she would resume intensive training from Monday since she has been flooded with interview calls by the media and felicitations since her arrival in the City after the historic victory in the Indonesian Open.

“Everything is happening so fast that the feeling of being the first Indian to win a Super Series title is yet to sink in,” Saina said.

With her mentor and chief national coach P. Gopi Chand expected to return on Saturday after a stint with the Canadian team for a few days, Saina is expected to begin her regular training.

“Significantly, success at international level has come ever since I joined Gopi Chand Academy. He is the biggest influence in the last few years as far as competing and winning major international titles is concerned,” said Saina. — Principal Correspondent

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Chan Yan Kit of Hong Kong failed in the second round of the men's singles division on Wednesday in the Philippine Badminton Open 2009 held in Manila while Filipinas disappointed their fans with bad performances in front of their homecrowd.

Chan Yan Kit fell to compatriot Chan Yun Lung, 21-23, 17-21 in the 4-star tournament at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, Manila.

Meanwhile, Nicole Grether of Germany stopped seventh seeded Charmaine Reed of Canada in women's singles, 21-7, 21-10. Grether will go up against Wang Xin of China in the second round.

Fatima Cruz and Janelle Glorianne de Vera of the Philippines succumbed in women's singles first round action.

Cruz ran out of gas against Aprilia Yuswandari of Indonesia, 12- 21, 10-21. And de Vera was outclassed by Mong Kwan Yi of Hong Kong, 5-21, 6-21.

Filipino Rodel Bartolome will meet Chen Long of China after engaging Raj Popat of Wales, 21-19, 21-11. He is one of the two Filipinos who had first round matches that reached the second round.

The other is Mark Alvin Natividad, who won in three sets against Wilfredo Amoroso in all-Flipino matchup, 21-17, 16-21, 2- 18. Natividad will face Tien Minh Nguyen of Vietnam next.