Mixed doubles pair Bankier and Blair injured

 July 21, 2009 - Great Britain has been hit with a devastating set of injuries to the mixed doubles pair of Imogen Bankier and Robert Blair.  The duo in the past few months have slipped out of the top ten in the world rankings.  Bankier has been plagued with a right knee injury for the past six months, and even with intense therapy she just won't be ready to compete.  "I have had injections in the knee and shock-wave therapy but it hasn't worked so on Thursday I will have injections in the tendon and knee and then I have to rest before commencing rehab."  Blair is not at 100% due to a tendon problem.  This will also keep Blair from competing in the men's doubles competition with partner Chris Adcock, who are ranked twelfth in the world.  Imogen's absence leaves only two other Scottish born players represented at the championships.   
 
-World number sixth ranked Indian player Saina Nehwal will have a bye in the first round at the World Championships, coming in a few weeks.  In the third round she will probably see the 10th seeded Bulgarian Petya Nedelchevasecond.  A victory could then set her up to meet second seeded seeded Lin Wang of China in the quarter-finals.
 

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