Srikanth, Nehwal to lead Indian challenge at Australia Super Series

Newly-crowned Indonesia Open champion Kidambi Srikanth and title-holder Saina Nehwal will lead the Indian challenge at the Australia Super Series starting in Sydney today. Srikanth, who is in sizzling form, will start his campaign against a qualifier on Wednesday. 

H S Prannoy will face Kazumasa Sakai of Japan in the qualifiers tomorrow. Among others, Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold winner Sameer Verma and Ajay Jayaram will also eye the title. All eyes will also be on B Sai Praneeth, who had clinched his maiden Super Series title at the Singapore Open in April.



The 24-year-old, who bowed out in the opening round at Indonesia, will face Indonesian Tommy Sugiarto in first round. 

For London bronze-medallist Saina and Rio silver-winner P V Sindhu, a tough challenge awaits the duo as they lock horns with the finalists of Indonesia Open -- Runners-up Korean Sung Ji Hyun and Winner Sayaka Sato in their opening round. 

In men's doubles, Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy and in women's doubles, Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy will vow for the title.