Grand Prix Gold action resumes this week in the United States as top shuttlers from across the globe will be looking for match practice ahead of World Championships, starting August 21.
For India, it will be a chance for redemption after its shuttlers disappointed at Canada Grand Prix last week. HS Prannoy and Parupalli Kashyap exited the tournament early while doubles pair of Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy failed to defend their title.
The Indian unit has travelled to the US without its superstar Women's singles shuttler Saina Nehwal, who has decided to pull out of the event. The 27-year-old, who was seeded second, was handed an easy draw.
In Saina's absence, Rituparna Das, Ruthvika Shivani, Sri Krishna Priya and Sai Uttejita Rao Chukka and Reshma Karthik are the Indian women's singles shuttlers in the fray.
Prannoy headlines Men's singles field
Prannoy, who tamed the likes of Lee Chong Wei and Chen Long earlier this year in Indonesia, would have been disappointed with his early exit in Canada.
The second seed, who will open his campaign against Luka Wraber of Denmark on Wednesday, is expected to meet 21-year-old Kanta Tsuneyama of Japan in the quarter-final.
Fifth seed Sameer Verma, who won the season-opening Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold, has struggled to make an impact ever since after suffering from a shoulder injury that saw him miss Indonesia Superseries Premier and Australian Open.
Having drawn in the half, that also has defending champion Lee Hyun Il, who will face Parupalli Kashyap in the opening round, the 2016 Hong Kong Open runner-up will look to get back to his best in the US. Notably, Sameer missed last week's Canada Open action due to visa issues.
Budding shuttlers Lakhanee Sarang, Harsheel Dani and Abhishek Yelagar will also be in action in the over the week in the United States.
Strong Men's doubles units
India have two pairs of Men's doubles shuttlers in the upcoming tournament -- third seeds Manu Attri/Sumeeth Reddy and fourth seeds Chirag Shetty/Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
Third seeds Sikki Reddy and Pranav Jerry Chopra will be in focus in the Mixed Doubles category.
Order of Play of key first-round matches
Men's singles
- Lee Hyun Il vs Parupalli Kashyap
- Sameer Verma vs Hoang Nam Nguyen
- HS Prannoy vs Luka Wraber
Women's singles
- Rituparna Das vs Rachel Honderich
How to watches matches on TV, online
India: TV: Star Sports 2. Live streaming: Hotstar [From semi-final]
Malaysia: TV: Astro Supersport. Live streaming: Astro Go
Singapore: TV: Star Hub. Live streaming: Starhub Go
China: TV: CCTV 5+
Worldwide live streaming: BWF YouTube channel [Not available in India]
Live scores can be followed on BWF's official website.
