Apart from Saina, all eyes will also be on the star mixed doubles pair of V Diju and Jwala Gutta.
India made its maiden finals appearance in the mixed team event defeating England 3-0 on Thursday and it would surely boost their confidence to aim for greater glory at the Siri Fort sport complex from on Saturday.
India have so far won two golds in the men's singles, but the yellow metal has always eluded the women shuttlers with Aparna Popat, winning a silver and a bronze in 1998 and 2002 editions respectively.
But come October 3 and a billion heart will throb in unison for world number three Saina as she battles for supremacy against the Malaysians, English and Singaporeans.
It was during the Melbourne Games that Saina had burst into limelight after then coach Vimal Kumar chose her as the top singles player against Singapore in the bronze medal match and the Hyderbadi delivered by helping India win the bronze.
This time around, Saina should settle for nothing less than a gold but she is not taking anything for granted.
"I had a good team event and I hope to continue with the same form. My aim is to win gold. I'v prepared hard and I am focussed," said Saina, who will face Sarah Thomas of Wales in the second round on Sunday after getting a bye in the first.
"The competition is not as tough as World championship but all these girls would be coming prepared and you never know what happens. So I can't take them lightly," she added.
Pune girl Aditi Mutatkar also got a bye in the first round and will be up against the winner between Kenyan Anita Alube and Sri Lankan Subodha Dahanayaka in the next round on Sunday.
In the men's singles, Melbourne bronze medallist Chetan Anand and debutant P Kashyap will spearhead Indian challenge and they would look to emulate Prakash Padukone and late Syed Modi, who had won the title in 1978 and 1982 editions.
Third seed Chetan have blown hot and cold this year and although he won his matches during the team event, they were not at all convincing which compelled the team to change him with Kashyap in the crucial semifinal tie against England.
Sixth seed Kashyap, on the other hand, has been consistent and his stunning win over second seed Rajiv Ouseph of England showed he is better prepared to compete with his illustrious colleagues such as Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia to bring India a medal.
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