JOIN USIndian badminton ace Saina Nehwal will open her campaign against Asian Games bronze medallist Yip Pui Yin of Hong Kong in the India Open World Superseries tournament, starting here on April 24.
The event will also double up as the final qualifying meet for the London Olympics. Saina, seeded third here, had beaten Yin three times in a row since her loss to the same opponent in the Asian Games quarterfinals in 2010. The world number five, who has been placed in the same half as top seed Shixian Wang of China, is likely to face off against two-time All England champion Tine Baun of Denmark in the quarterfinals.
If Saina clears that hurdle, in all probability, she would have to overcome back-to-back Chinese opponents for the title.
While Saina’s draw is tricky, the other Commonwealth Games gold medallists Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa have been handed a tough first round as the women’s doubles combination launch their campaign against seventh seeds Poon Lok Yan and Tse Ying Suet of Hong Kong.
The Indian pair is in the hunt for its maiden Olympic berth.