Indian star shuttler Kidambi Srikanth said that he is eager to put behind his lean patch and give his 100 percent from the very first round of the India Open. The shuttler has finally recovered from an injury which forced him to miss last week's Indonesia Open.
Srikanth will look to return back stronger when he will open his India Open campaign against Hong Kong's Lee Cheuk Yiu on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old said that he is playing the tournament after a very long time and, therefore, really looking forward to perform at the best of his abilities. Kidambi won four International masters last year and wasn't able to participate in the final event due to injury which has resulted in keeping the shuttler out for quite a while.
"It is a tournament which I am playing after a very long time. Everyone knows I had pulled out of Indonesia Masters due to injury. So, I am really looking forward to do well here and I really want to be at my 100 percent from the first round," he said.
Currently ranked third in the BWF rankings, Srikanth has recently been also honoured with the Padma Shri award.
Reflecting on the same, the ace Indian men's singles shuttler said, "I am very happy to receive the award. I would like to thank Government of India for conferring me with the award."
Other than Srikanth, ace shuttlers PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal will also be seen in action in the India Open.
Sindhu will take on Denmark's Natalia Rohde and, barring any surprises, her real challenge will come in the form of former world champion Ratchnok Intanon in the semifinals.
Nehwal, who is in the bottom half of the draw, will face another Dane, Sofie Dahl in the opening round.
Among the other Indians who will take to the courts on Wednesday, World No. 10 HS Prannoy will face qualifier Shreyansh Jaiswal in his opening match while Singapore Open champion B Sai Praneeth will face Rajiv Ouseph of England.
