Singapore: Olympic bronze-medalist Saina Nehwal has withdrawn from USD 300,000 Singapore Open Super Series badminton tournament to recharge her batteries after competing at the highest level for the last few weeks.
The Indian ace had a hectic last month as she competed at the All England Championship, India Open Super Series and Malaysia Open Super Series Premier.
“Last month was hectic. I have played three tournaments and reached the finals at two. I didn’t want to overburden myself. It is a very important year so I thought let me train for a week and play at the Asian badminton championship,” said Saina, who won India Grand Prix Gold in January at Lucknow.
Meanwhile, Indonesian shuttler Simon Santoso who upset then world number one Lee Chong Wei to the men’s singles crown begins his title defense against Denmark’s Emil Holst in the qualifiers. The competition kicks off on Tuesday (Apr 7).
“I believe it will not be an easy task as the competition level is higher and tougher, as compared to last year’s,” Santoso said.
Should he clear Holst, Santoso will be up against Malaysia’s Chong Wei Fong and 5th seed Viktor Axelson from Denmark – whom he noted, have been “doing well” in recent tournaments.
The Singapore Open will be held at the Indoor Stadium from Tuesday till Sunday and will feature top names such as Chen Long and Jan O Jorgensen.
Singapore’s top male shuttler Derek Wong and women’s doubles pair Vanessa Neo and Shinta Mulia Sari will be using the Open as an important test ahead of the SEA Games in June.
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