Ajay Jayaram out of Korea Open with food poisoning

World No.31 Ajay Jayaram, due to take part in the Korea Open Superseries Premier, withdrew from the tournament due to food poisoning.

Jayaram was admitted to hospital on Friday after he started vomiting, and he was discharged on Sunday. The second highest ranked Indian was due to play former World Champion Chen Jin in his opening round match.

The Indian team thus sports a lean look as it begins its season with the Korea Open tomorrow. Only the top singles players have been fielded, unlike in recent Superseries events which have seen the second rung of hopefuls. In Jayaram’s absence, P Kashyap is the sole Indian representative in the men’s singles. The world No.14 will take on England’s Rajiv Ouseph first; if he gets past Ouseph, he is likely to take on Hong Kong’s Hu Yun next.

In the women’s singles, Saina Nehwal, the third seed, faces Thai newcomer Sapsiree Taerattanachai, while compatriot PV Sindhu plays the same opponent she lost to in the Syed Modi International final in December, Lindaweni Fanetri of Indonesia.

With the Korea Open being a Premier event at which the top players must compulsorily participate in, all the top guns, except Lin Dan, have entered the draw. Lee Chong Wei is top seed in the men’s singles, and he is expected to face familiar rival Chen Long in the final. However, he has a tough opponent up first, as he faces Wang Zhengming, the 2008 World Junior Champion. The others to watch out for includes Du Pengyu (China), Viktor Axelsen (Denmark), Chen Jin (China) and Sony Dwi Kuncoro (Indonesia).

Saina will be faced with the tough task of getting past her principal Chinese rivals. Olympic champion Li Xuerui is top-seeded, and Wang Yihan is at No.2. Other Chinese in the draw include Wang Shixian (5), Han Li and Jiang Yanjiao.