India's R.M.V. Gurusaidutt qualified for the main draw of the $750,000 Australian Badminton Open Superseries here on Tuesday.
The world No.89 first defeated local challenger Michael Fariman 21-7, 21-14 in 33 minutes to move into the second qualifying match in which he moved past Malaysian Jiann Shiarng Chiang 21-16, 21-12 in 30 minutes.
Gurusaidutt will join other men's singles shuttlers Kidambi Srikanth and Sameer Verma in the main draw.
In the first round, Gurusaidutt will meet world No.14 Hu Yun of Hong Kong, while world No.12 Srikanth will face No.11 NG Ka Long Angus. Sameer will open his campaign against Japanese qualifier Takuma Ueda.
Reigning world champion and world No.1 Chen Long of China will be the overwhelming favourite to win the men's singles crown as veterans -- No.2 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia and No.3 Chen Long -- are not taking part in the championship.
Long will begin his title defence against Australian qualifier Huaidong Tang.
In the women's singles category, India's Olympics medal hopefuls, world No.8 Saina Nehwal and No.10 P.V. Sindhu will face Australian No.78 Joy Lai and No.41 Kim Hyo Min of South Korea respectively.
Saina won the Australian Open title in 2014 and will look to put up a good show again.
World No.89 Tanvi Lad will be up against Tiffany Ho of Australia.
In the men's doubles competition, India will be represented by Nikhar Garg and M. Anilkumar Raju, who face a stiff opening challenge against Malaysian eighth seed V. Shem GOH and Wee Kiong Tan.
--IANS
pur/bg
