Singapore: Be ready to be blown away by exhilarating badminton action at this year’s OUE Singapore Open. From the 12th to 17th April, badminton fans will be in for a spectacle following the announcement of the OUE Singapore Open 2016 draw.
Men’s Singles
Two-time Olympics gold medalist, Lin Dan, is in the lower half of the draw along with OUE Singapore Open’s defending men champion, Kento Momota. A possible semi-final clash is on the cards if both emerge victorious from their initial rounds of playoffs. Lin Dan will kick off this competition facing Ihsan Maulana Mustofa from Indonesia.
“Having won two competitions consecutively (Germany and England), I feel good about my current condition,” said Lin.
“I still enjoy the thrill of winning very much and I hope to play my best in Singapore (which is the last Superseries before the Olympics qualifying period closes).”
Meanwhile, defending champion, Kento Momota will kick start the defence of his title against China’s Wang Zhengming.
“It doesn't matter if my opponent is the defending champion or not, I will carry the same attitude to face the competition and will perform as per normal without giving myself any added stress,” said Wang.
The Republic’s top Men’s Singles shuttler, Derek Wong was drawn to face Teck Zhi Soo of Malaysia in the first round of qualifiers. Should Wong defeat Teck, he will meet the winner of the match between Lin Yu Hsien and Christie Jonatan. He has to win the two matches in order to advance to the main draw where two-time Singapore Open champion, Boonsak Ponsana, will await him.
Women’s Singles
Singapore’s top Women’s Singles shuttler, Liang Xiaoyu, is set to face defending champion, Sun Yu from China in the first round of the main draw.
“Being able to play in the Singapore Open makes me very happy as I'm excited to compete against strong opponents. What I hope most is to adjust my attitude and perform to my best level in the competition. Even though I'm competing against the defending champion, I will keep a calm composure and do my best to win every competition,” said Liang.
A tough set of fixtures await Sun Yu or Liang as the winner finds Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara (World No.2) and India’s Saina Nehwal (World No.6) joining her in the lower half of the draw.
Men’s Doubles
Defending champions Angga Pratama and Ricky Karanda Suwardi are up against Denmark’s Mads Conrad-Petersen and Mads Pieler Kolding in their first round. Malaysia’s Men’s Doubles pair, Tan Boon Heong and Koo Kien Keat, who are currently still fighting to secure a spot in the Olympics will face third-seed Chai Biao and Hong Wei from China.
Women’s Doubles
Singapore’s sole representatives in the Women’s Doubles main draw are set for an uphill battle after being drawn against World No.1 Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi from Japan.
Mixed Doubles
Two Singaporean pairs are in the main draw of the mixed doubles. Top local pair of Danny Bawa Chrisnanta and Vanessa Neo will be up against Jacco Arends and Selena Piek from the Netherlands.
The other pair of Terry Hee and Tan Wei Han will be starting their Singapore Open journey facing South Korea’s Eom Hye Won and Choi Solgyu.
