Badminton: Ajay Jayaram, Anand Pawar get stiff draw at China Open

Draws for the China Open Super Series tournament were announced yesterday.

Only two Indian players will participate in the $250,00 China Open Super Series tournament which will take place in the city of Changzhou from 10th to 15th September.

World No. 39 Indian shuttler Anand Pawar will take on world no. 2 and top-seeded player of the tournament Chen Long of China in the first round of men’s singles. Pawar has not been in the best of forms over the last few months as he lost in the first round of Li Ning Singapore Open and even failed to qualify for the main draw at the Indonesia Open Super Series Premier.

Another Indian player Ajay Jayaram. who is currently the world ranked 24 will play the world no. 31 Chinese shuttler Chen Yuekun in the first round of men’s singles. If Ajay Jayaram wins the first round match, then he could well face World No. 6 Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia in the next round.

World No. 1 Malaysian player Lee Chong Wei and World Championships 2013 gold medalist Lin Dan are not playing in this tournament.

Top Indian shuttlers, including Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu, are also not playing in this tournament. Both these players will next play the Japan Open Super Series, which will be held in Tokyo from Sep 17-22.

Draws for the Japan Open Super Series tournament will be out on September 3.