Bright chance: Saina Nehwal

Chances are bleak but badminton legend Prakash Padukone does not rule out a medal possibility from India's ace shuttlers Anup Sridhar and Saina Nehwal at the Olympics.

While admitting that Nehwal has a brighter chance as opposed to Sridhar, the former All-England conqueror told MiD DAY: "The men's draw is extremely competitive. A lot will depend on the draw (July 26). 

"It will be a knockout stage and if we are able to upset a few top-ranked players, we are in the quarters. One good outing thereafter and we are in the semis. From there on we are in the hunt for a medal," Padukone said on the sidelines of the announcement of the 1st Tata All-India Badminton Tournament that will begin on July 27 at the Bombay Gymkhana.

Padukone was confident about World No 16 Nehwal's prospects. "A lot will be expected from her. But the kind of form she is currently in, Saina has a bright chance of winning a medal at Beijing. She is consistently performing well lately," Padukone noted.