Singapore SS: PV Sindhu to lead the women's challenge; time running out for the men
THE INDIAN SHUTTLERS are in a dire situation and have no choice but to perform to their best so that they can play at the prestigious stage, the Olympics.
The worst performances have been from the men's singles and doubles shuttlers who have been exiting the recent events in the first rounds which has cost them valuable ranking points. Their next challenge will be at the Singapore Open Super Series which begins on Tuesday with the qualifying rounds.
The Indian male shuttlers will be led by Kidambi Srikanth who will be up against Hsu Jen Hao of Taipei in the first round. The unseeded Indian hasn't been performing to his full potential but he is left with no choice as he needs to give his best to climb up the rankings ladder.
It is the same situation for the other two shuttlers in this category. World No. 22 HS Prannoy will take on first seed Chen Long of China in the first round. This is their second meeting, in the previous meeting, Chen defeated the Indian.
World No. 24, Ajay Jayaram plays an old foe, German shuttler Marc Zwiebler in round one. The German dominates the head-to-head count, 4-1. Unfortunately, Parupalli Kashyap misses out on the tournament due to an injury.
On the other hand, the women's singles shuttlers have been putting up a decent performance reaching the quarters and semis of the tournaments.
PV Sindhu will lead the women's singles contest in the absence of Saina Nehwal. The World No. 8 withdrew from the tournament. The 20-year-old Sindhu will be happy to be back in the top 10. Her first round opponent is Busanan Ongbumrungphan of Thailand. The Indian has massive lead of 6-0 in the head-to-head count.
There is only one pair each in the men's doubles, women's doubles and the mixed doubles category. Recently crowned men's doubles national champions duo of Akshay Dewalkar/Pranaav Jerry Chopra take on Liu Cheng/Lu Kai of China, Jwala Gutta/Ashwini Ponnappa face Goh Ah Ra/Yoo Hae Won of Korea and finally Arun Vishnu/Aparan Balan too face Korean duo of Shin Baek Cheol/Chae Yoo Jung.
