Ace shuttler Parupalli Kashyap, after clinching a historic gold at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, will be aiming for a bigger prize as takes court in the opening match of the Badminton World Championships on Monday at the Ballerup Super Arena, Copenhagen.
World Championships, however, is all together a different challenge for Kashyap, who has recently found his groove. The Hyderabadi is currently 27th in the BWF World Rankings and as a result has been given a pretty tough draw in the competition.
The former world number six will face Germany's Dieter Domke in the opening round. Kashyap has a 5-1 win-loss record over Domke, but the German won their most recent clash in the Thomas Cup, when he prevailed over the Indian in a hard-fought encounter.
Kashyap is unlikely to face a similar fate against his 47th ranked opponent, as he has been in fine form. Kashyap, however, will face world number one Lee Chong Wei, who has defeated the London Olympics quarterfinalist in all clashes so far, in the second round, if he picks up a victory on Monday.
"It will not be easy for me at the Worlds," Kashyap said. "I have very little time to prepare for the event. After the CWG I hardly had seven to ten days which is not enough for a big event."
Meanwhile, women's doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa has been given a bye in their opening match. The decorated duo will be aiming to replicate their 2011 success, when they clinched bronze at the Wembley Arena.
Ashwini, however, will compete in the mixed doubled event on Monday with Tarun Kona and they will face home hope Anders Kristiansen and Julie Houmann in the first round.
The reigning national champions Arun Vishnu and Aparna Balan will also compete in the mixed doubles event on the opening day against Brazilians Hugo Arthuso and Fabiana Silva.
In the men's double event, Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar will face a difficult first round match against Yun Lung Chan and Chun Hei Lee of Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, former world number 21 Ajay Jayaram will make his return to the badminton circuit, after a seven-month layoff because of a shoulder injury. Jayaram did not qualify for the Worlds, but withdrawals handed him a place in the main draw.
The Mumbaikar will commence his campaign in the second round, as he has got a walkover in the opening round against the fourth-seeded Kenichi Tago. Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth will start their journey on the second day.
Schedule of Play
Mixed Doubles: Kristiansen/Houmann vs Kona/Ponnappa starts 1:30 pm IST
Men's Doubles: Chan/Lee vs Chopra/Dewalkar starts 10:30 pm IST
Mixed Doubles: Vishnu/Balan vs Arthuso/Silva starts 10:30 pm IST
Men's Singles: Parupalli Kashyap vs Dieter Domke starts 11:15 pm IST
Where to Watch Live
The day's play is scheduled for a 1:00 pm IST (10:00 am CEST, 7:30 am GMT) start, with live coverage on Star Sports 4 in India. The matches can be watched via live streaming option HERE or stream the action online HERE. The live match updates are available HERE.
