Odense (Denmark): Title-contenders PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth would look to put behind the disappointment of an early exit from Japan Open and make a positive start to their campaign at the USD 7,50,000 Denmark Open Super Series Premier badminton tournament, which begins here Tuesday.
World Championship silver medallist Sindhu have been in rampaging form this season as she has already bagged two titles at the India Open and Korea Open respectively. However she lost in the second round of the Japan Open to Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara – an opponent she had some fierce battles recently.
The second-seeded Indian, however, will be fresh after a three week training and would look to make amends when she opens her campaign against World No.10 China’s Chen Yufei, a rival she had beaten in the World Championships in August.
Slowly finding her foot back after battling her way through a career-threatening injury last year, Saina Nehwal will be looking for her first super series win in 16 months – her last one had been at the Australia Open last year in June. She had also lost in the second round at Tokyo to Carolina Marin and she will be itching for revenge when the two face in the first round.
In men’s singles, Srikanth starts as hot favourite after his three back-to-back final appearances out of which he won two titles at Indonesia and Australia. He reached the quarterfinals at the Japan Open. He will have a comparatively easy first round as he faces a qualifier.
If Srikanth can cross the first two rounds, a familiar foe in World Champion and local favourite Viktor Axelsen might be waiting for him at the quarters.
Among other Indians in fray, B Sai Praneeth and HS Prannoy have showed that they are no pushovers after their good run this season. Both have won a title each this season.
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