SAINA NEHWAL (India)

The Defending Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open champion!

Born on March 17, 1990, Nehwal stunned seventh-ranked
Julia Xian Pei Wong, 21-15, 22-20, to win the 2006
Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open, becoming the first
Indian woman to win a four-star badminton event.

Ranked No. 39 in the world, the 17-year-old talent
holds the Under-19 women's single title and has won
twice the Asian Satellite Badminton Tournament (India
Chapter). She powered India to a bronze medal finish
in the 2006 mixed team championship in Melbourne.

After ruling the RP Open, Nehwal also topped the India
Satellite in Novevember 2006 although she has struggled a
bit this year, finishing in the last 16 in the Asian
Continental Championship and the All England Super
Series. She also reached the last 32 stage in the last
Swiss Open and German Open.

She was signed on by the Champions Trust of
London-based steel baron Lakshmi Mittal, who wants to
help her become an international champion.

*Photo courtesy of AFP.