HYDERABAD:
PV Sindhu and
Saina Nehwal will spearhead Indian challenge at the
Badminton Asia Championships
beginning in Wuhan, China, on Tuesday.
Despite their exploits on the international circuit, none of the Indians have won the Asian crown so far. Sindhu and Saina have won bronze medals but never reached the final of this continental championship, considered the best after the World and the best after the World and Olympic events. With almost all the top shuttlers hailing from Asia, the field here is strong.
Sindhu, who won bronze in 2014, faces Dinar Dyah Ayustine of Indonesia in the first round. The fourth-seeded Indian is expected to face a challenging opponent in
Aya Ohori
in the second round. Ohori had just won the China Masters title on Sunday. If Sindhu gets past Ohori she may play eighth seed He Bingjiao of China in quarterfinals.
Last edition's bronze medallist Saina, is in the top half of the draw and begins her campaign against Japanese veteran Sayaka Sato. Saina may face her first major challenge in quarterfinals against
Tai Tzu Ying
. The world No.1 defeated Saina six times after 2013.
Tarun-Francis triumphIndian duo of Kona Tarun and Alwin Francis won the Peru International Challenge in Lima on Sunday. The duo defeated Peru's Mario Cub and Diego Mini 21-15, 21-15 in the final.
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