In the absence of higher-ranked Chinese shuttlers, Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal has been given the top billing in the Malaysia Open Super Series and she would be keen to live up to the reputation.
It should not be difficult for India’s World No. 3 to cross the first two rounds and if everything goes well, she would meet eighth seed Eriko Hirose of Japan in the quarterfinals of the $ 400,000 event. Meanwhile, India’s rising star PV Sindhu, who exited early in Korea, has got a tough first round match against third seed Tine Baun of Denmark. In men’s singles, top Indian shuttler Parupalli Kashyap, ranked 11, will open his campaign against Takuma Ueda of Japan.