Indian star shuttler Kidambi Srikanth, who has recovered fully from an injury which forced him to miss last week's Indonesia Open
Kidambi Srikanth
Indian star shuttler Kidambi Srikanth, who has recovered fully from an injury which forced him to miss last week's Indonesia Open, on Tuesday said that he is eager to put behind his lean patch and give his 100 percent from the very first round of the India Open. Srikanth will look to return back stronger when he will open his India Open campaign against Hong Kong's Lee Cheuk Yiu on Wednesday.
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Speaking to ANI, the 24-year-old said that he is playing the tournament after a very long time and, therefore, really looking forward to perform at the best of his abilities. 'It is a tournament which I am playing after a very long time. Everyone knows I had pulled out of Indonesia Masters due to injury. So, I am really looking forward to do well here and I really want to be at my 100 percent from the first round,' he said.
Currently ranked third in the BWF rankings, Srikanth has recently been also honored with the Padma Shri award. Reflecting on the same, the ace Indian men's singles shuttler said, 'I am very happy to receive the award. I would like to thank Government of India for conferring me with the award.' Besides Srikanth, home favourites PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal will also be seen in action in the India Open.
Sindhu will take on Denmark's Natalia Rohde and, barring any surprises, her real challenge will come in the form of former world champion Ratchnok Intanon in the semifinals. Nehwal, who is in the bottom half of the draw, will face another Dane, Sofie Dahl in the opening round. Among the other Indians who will take to the courts on Wednesday, World No. 10 HS Prannoy will face qualifier Shreyansh Jaiswal in his opening match while Singapore Open champion B Sai Praneeth will face Rajiv Ouseph of England.
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