Saina, Srikanth seek Swiss triumph

Top seed Saina, who clinched the title in 2011 and 2012, will start her campaign to complete a hat-trick when she lock horns with Germany’s Karin Schnaase in the opening round of women’s singles competition. 

World No. 10 Srikanth will also look to etch his name on the trophy for the second time and add another title to his kitty after his triumph at the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold in Lucknow in January this year. Seeded third, will open his campaign against Muhammad Bayu Pangisthu of Indonesia. 

Saina had lost in the quarterfinal while Srikanth’s campaign ended in the second round at the All England Championship in Birmingham. Among five other Indians in the fray in men’s singles, B. Sai Praneeth will enjoy his share of attention after his giant-killing act at the All England championship last week, where he stunned former World No. 1 and two-time Olympic silver medallist Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia. 

Praneeth will open his campaign against Lucas Corvee of France.Ajay Jayaram will be up against Malaysia’s Jiann Shiarng Chiang, while H. S. Prannoy, seeded 13th, will meet Finland’s Kalle Koljonen.