Lin Dan to make India Super Series debut

Two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan of China is all set to make his debut at the fifth edition of the Yonex Sunrise India Open Superseries badminton tournament, scheduled to be held at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here from March 24 to 29.

Lin Dan would be making his first appearance in the individual events in India since he completed a hat-trick of world titles in Hyderabad in 2009.

The 31-year-old was in New Delhi last year to represent China in the Thomas Cup but 'Super Dan', as he is known across the world, was playing intermediately at that time.

Challenging Lin Dan would be top seed Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark and China Super Series premier champion India's K Srikanth apart from his compatriot and seventh seed Zhemgming Wang.

In the women's section, Saina Nehwal, the first Indian woman to reach All England Open final, would be looking for her maiden India Superseries crown.

World number three Saina has been given a top-billing in the tournament with world and All England champion Carolina Marin of Spain leading the charge in the bottom half of the draw.

In the pair events, defending men's doubles champion Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen of Denmark and their mixed doubles compatriots Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen have been given top billing.

Badminton Association of India president Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta said, "Like every year we have a very competitive field for the India Superseries with almost all the top players vying for the prestigious crown."

Image: Lin Dan

Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images