A tricky draw awaits Saina Nehwal in the India Open Super Series, where she is seeded fourth. The world No. 5 faces Hong Kong’s Yip Pui Yin in the first round and is likely to run into former all-England champion Tine Baun of Denmark in the quarters.
The tournament is the second Super Series event hosted by India and will be held at the Siri Fort Sports Complex from April 24-29. It was here that Saina had won gold in the Commonwealth Games but also lost in the first round of the event’s maiden edition.
Saina finds herself in world No. 3 China’s Wang Shixian’s half of the draw. The other Indian to find a place in the main draw is the young PV Sindhu. Jwala Gutta along with Ashwini Ponnappa (women’s doubles partner) and V Diju (mixed doubles) will have to work hard to secure their places in the London Games. Jwala-Ashwini will face world No 11 Hong Kong’s Pook Lok Yan and Tse Ying Suet.
In men’s singles, Ajay Jayaram and P Kashyap will be keen to outrace the other as the tournament will decide who will represent India in London.
{{/usCountry}}In men’s singles, Ajay Jayaram and P Kashyap will be keen to outrace the other as the tournament will decide who will represent India in London.
{{/usCountry}}This meet being the last in the qualifying period has made the competition fierce as all top shuttlers have decided to participate.
Jayaram has a tough first round opponent in England’s Rajiv Ouseph while Kashyap has it relatively easy as he faces Spain’s Pablo Abian.