PV Sindhu takes on unseeded Indonesian shuttler Dinar Dyah Ayustine in the Women's singles second round at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham on Thursday.
The Indian shuttler needed only 29 minutes to decimate her first-round opponent, world number 33 Mette Poulsen of Denmark 21-10, 21-11 yesterday. Touted as one of the favourites, Sindhu has began her campaign on a high and would be hoping to become the first Indian woman shuttler to clinch the World Superseries Premier title in Birmingham.
After having a successful year in 2016, in which she broke into the top-10 of Women's singles rankings after winning an Olympic silver and her maiden Superseries title in China, Sindhu has begun 2016 on a high as well with titles at Premier Badminton League and Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold in India.
Seeded as high as sixth, the world number five would be hoping to make best use of her form to return home from Birmingham with a title. While a possible stern test against world number one Tai Tzu Ying awaits Sindu in the quarter-final, she will start as a clear favourite against her second-round opponent Dinar today.
The Indonesian shuttler, ranked 39, earned a hard-fought victory (21-19, 22-20) against unseeded Danish shuttler Natalia in her first round. Dinar began her season at Malaysia Masters, in which she was ousted in the quarter-final by eventual runner-up Pornpawee Chochuwong and also lost in the second round of Syed Modi to Gregoria Mariska, whom Sindhu defeated in the title match in January.
TV Schedule
Malaysia: AStro Supersport
China: LETV, GDTV
Taiwan: Sportcast
Thailand: True visions
Indonesia: Fox Sports
India: Star Sports
Australia: Fox Sports
Dubai: Dubai SPorts Channel
UK: BBC
Hong Kong: iCable, PCCW
US: One World Sport
Denmark: TV2
