Sai, Srikanth look to bounce back at Indonesia Open

Jakarta, June 1: Following a disappointing Australian Open, leading Indian shuttlers Sai Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth will look to bounce back at the $800,000 Indonesia Open Superseries Premier starting at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno Stadium here on Tuesday.

World No.1 Sai, who has won here in 2009, 2010 and 2012, has been seeded second in the women’s singles category, while world No.4 Srikanth is seeded fourth in the men’s singles competition.

Apart from the duo, two-time World Championships bronze medallist P.V. Sindhu, Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap, 2011 World Championships bronze medal-winning women’s doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponppa are also getting ready for the challenge.

Other Indians competing in the event are Manu Attri, B. Sumeeth Reddy, Praav Jerry Chopra, Akshay Dewalkar, H. S. Prannoy and Ajay Jayaram.

In men’s singles round one, Kashyap faces Thailand’s Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk, whereas Srikanth faces Denmark’s Hans-Kristian Vittinghus — both have won one match each in head-to-head record.

In the women’s singles event, Sindhu faces Hsu Ya-Ching, while London Olympics bronze medallist Sai faces Thailand’s Nichaon Jindapon against whom the Indian has won all her three meetings. If both the Hyderabadi girls win, they will be up against each other in the second round.

Praav Jerry Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar face the Cadian pair of Adrian Liu and Derrick N.G. while India’s Manu and Sumeeth face Taiwan’s Lee Sheng Mu and Tpetsai Chia Hsin in the men’s doubles first round. There will be no Indian representation in mixed doubles.

In the women’s doubles event, two-time Commonwealth Games medallists Jwala and Ashwini meet the Japanese pair of oko Fukuman and Kurumi Yoo in the first round.

Chi’s world champion Chen Long is the top seed in men’s singles, while Olympic champion Li Xuerui will defend her crown as the top seed.

The qualifying matches for the main round will be held on Tuesday. IANS