Creme-de-la-creme of world badminton, including world champion Ratchanok Intanon and world number one Lee Chong Wei, will be seen in action when the fourth edition of the India Open Super Series kicks off at the Siri Fort Sports Complex on April 1.
Besides Intanon, the entire top-10 women and seven of the top-10 men's singles players will feature in a field which will also have Indian challengers in Saina Nehwal, P V Sindhu, P Kashyap and K Srikanth.
This year's event is more important for the players as well as organisers since it is also a dress rehearsal for the Thomas and Uber Cup team championship, one of the most prestigious event in the badminton calendar which will he hosted at the same venue from May 18 to 25.
The upcoming event also begins the next three year cycle of the Super Series circuit and the prize money for this year has also been increased from USD 200,000 to USD 250,000.
London Olympics bronze medallist, Saina said: "Performing in front of your supporters is a big high for any player and the Yonex Sunrise India Open has provided all of us the opportunity to showcase our skills in front of the home crowd. This tournament is extremely important for me and I always look forward to give my best here."
Saina is seeded eighth in the competition this year and will face Austria's Simone Prutsch in the opening round. World championship bronze medallist, P V Sindhu will begin her campaign against second seed Shixian Wang of China. She had beaten her in the recent Swiss Open tournament.
Speaking about the upcoming edition, Badminton Association of India President, Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta, said, "The strong field and the fact that BWF has chosen India as the hosts for the Thomas and Uber Cup is a proof that we have been successfully organising international events and this year would be an important milestone for the Association as well as the players.
"Many Indian players have got an opportunity to test their mettle against the world's best on home turf and have made the successful transition on the international stage.
