Badminton action shifts from Malaysia to Singapore as the season's fourth Supersereis event will kickstart at the Singapore Indoor Stadium from 11 April.
The absence of top-ranked Men's singles shuttlers Lee Chong Wei, Lin Dan and Chen Long is a big setback to the tournament, especially after the stars set Kuching on fire last week. However, Singapore will have a star-studded Women's singles field. Malaysia Open champion Tai Tzu Ying, reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin and world number two PV Sindhu are all set to grab attention in Singapore from tomorrow.
Competition: OUE Singapore Open 2017
Date: 11 April, Wednesday to 16 April, Sunday
Venue: Singapore Indoor Stadium
TV Channel: StarHub Sports will provide live TV coverage in Singapore.
Live streaming: Hotstar, BWF official Youtube channel, StarHub Go
Live scores will be available on the tournament's official website.
In the absence of Jan O Jorgensen as well, Viktor Axelsen starts as the highest-ranked Men's singles shuttler and the Dane will look to clinch his second Superseries title of the season after facing an early exit in Malaysia.
However, he has to be at his best as he is likely to face in-form Chou Tien Chen in the quarter-final and All England runner-up Shi Yuqi in the semi-final.
Can Son make it big?
Fourth seed Son Wan Ho will also look to go the distance after slipping in the semi-final of Malaysia Open. His route to the semi-final looks less threatening as he is expected to face lower-ranked Ng Ka Long in the quarter-final.
Defending champion Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia will open his campaign against Lee Dong Keun of South Korea and he faces an uphil task of retaining his title.
5 in 5 for Tai?
All eyes will on Women's singles world number one Tai as the Chiense Taipei shuttler is in the form of her life, winning a record four Superseries titles on the trot - a streak that began in last year's Hong Kong Open.
Also read: Carolina Marin wants to be world number one again
The 22-year-old was at her best when she outclassed Marin in a hard-fought title match in Malaysia on Sunday. Tai will open the campaign against Nitchaon Jindapol of Thailand and she is likely to face a stiff test as early as in the quarter-final against defending champion Ratchanok Intanon.
Sindhu likely to meet Marin in quarter-final
With Saina Nehwal pulling out, the onus to keep the Indian flag flying high will be on Sindhu, who faced a first-round exit last week days after winning the India Open title. The world number two opens campaign against Malaysia Open semi-finalist Nozomi Okuhara of Japan. A possible blockbuster quarter-final outing against Marin awaits the Indian shuttler, who will look to get back to winning ways.
TV Schedule
India: Star Sports 2
Malaysia: Astro Supersport
Singapore: StarHub Sports
Seeding information
| Men's singles | Women's singles |
| 1. Jan O Jorgensen (Den) (Withdrawn) | 1. Tai Tzu Ying (Twn) |
| 2. Chen Long (Chn) (Withdrawn) | 3. Sung Ji Hyun (Kor) |
| 3. Viktor Axelsen (Den) | 3. Akane Yamaguchi (Jpn) |
| 4. Son Wan Ho (Kor) | 4. Carolina Marin (Esp) |
| 5. Shi Yuqi (Chn) | 5. PV Sindhu (Ind) |
| 6. Chou Tien Chen (Tpe) | 6. Sun Yu (Chn) |
| 7. Ng Ka Long (Hgk) | 7. Ratchanok Intanon (Tha) |
| 8. Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk (Tha) | 8. He Bingjiao (Chn) |
Order of Play of key matches on 12 April, Wednedssay
Men's singles
Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk v Qualifier
Son Wan Ho v Qualifier
Ng Ka Long v Tommy Sugiarto
Chou Tien Chen v Brice Leverdez
Viktor Axelsen v Vincent Ki Wong
Ajay Jayaram v Shi Yuqi
Women's singles
Tai Tzu Ying v Nitchaon Jindapol
Ratchanok Intanon v Sayaka Sato
Akane Yamaguchi v Cheung Ngan Yi
He Bingjiao v Qualifer
PV Sindhu v Nozomi Okuhara
Carolina Marin v Pornpawee Chochuwong
Sun Yu v Dinar Dyah Ayustine
Sung Ji Hyun v Goh Jin Wei
For full schedule, click here.
