I want to test my game against Momota: Sameer

A season of highs saw him knocking on the door of world's top 10 and India's Sameer Verma believes a positive mindset and improved strategies will hold him in good stead at the All England Championship starting March 10.

Sameer came out of the shadows of his illustrious colleagues last year when he reached the knockout stage of the World Tour Finals as a qualifier, riding on his title run at Swiss Open, Hyderabad Open and Syed Modi International at Lucknow.

Two of these titles -- Swiss Open and Syed Modi -- were Super 300 events and Sameer, who had reached the finals of Hong Kong Super Series in 2016, hopes to achieve his dream of winning a higher level tournament when he steps out at the Arena Birmimgham for the All England Championship.

"I want to win a big tournament and I want it to be All England," Sameer told PTI in an interview.

The 24-year-old will open his campaign against former world champion Viktor Axelsen.

"I have lost twice to him (Viktor Axelsen) but I am not too worried. I played him around 7-8 months back. At that time, I was not at this level. I think I am much better prepared to take him on," said Sameer.

"My mindset and strategy have improved a lot now. I can't tell about the results, I am not thinking about them but I feel I'm best prepared for the All England this time."
Asked to name one player he would want to face, Sameer said: "I want to play Kento Momota. I had beaten him at Swiss Open but I lost to him at the World Tour Finals and I want to test my game against him, compete against him."
"Results in tournaments don't matter, because you might not perform in 2-3 events, but they will come eventually. Last year, I won the Swiss Open and the Hyderabad Open but I didn't do well in all events, so I know I can do better."