The All England Open Badminton Championships return on 17th March 2021, and so do the Japanese players Nozomi Okuhara and Akane Yamaguchi, and here’s a preview of the women’s singles draw. However, defending champion and three-time all England champion, world number one Tai Tzu Ying will be missing from the tournament.
Amidst much uncertainly and speculations of the prestigious All England Open Badminton Champions being canceled due to the pandemic, the good news is that the event is going to happen in 2021. The draws for the All England Open were released about two weeks ago, and it can safely be said that some exciting matches are lined up at the historic event.
It is notable that the Japanese team make their return with this event post the pandemic. The presence of these players is going to make the matches much more interesting. The Chinese team, however, still is not participating due to national border restrictions due to the pandemic.
All England Open 2021, women’s singles preview
Can Chochuwong stop Marin?
First seed Carolina Marin who is on a title-winning spree starts off her campaign against Supanida Katethong. Pornpawee Chochuwong, sixth seed plays her first round against Ksenia Polikarpova of Israel.
Carolina Marin is likely to play Pornpawee Chochuwong again in the quarterfinals. The two had met in the semi-final of the Swiss Open. The Thai was the only player last week to have even taken a game against Marin. She has been the one who has been able to challenge the Spaniard. The quartefinal clash beetween the two would be wonderful to see if Marin dominates over the Thai with better strategy and expience or if the Thai can turn the tables and stop a formidable Carolina.
Akane Yamaguchi, the third seed from Japan returns after almost a year at All England against Qi Xuefei.
PV Sindhu may play Akane Yamaguchi in the quarterfinals
Pusarla V Sindhu, seeded fifth, begins her All England tour with a first-round match against Soniia Cheah of Malaysia. The reigning world champion who finished runner-up at the Swiss open last week is likely to meet third seed Akane Yamaguchi in the quarterfinals. It would be interesting to see how this match turns out as Sindhu has been in a renewed form of late whereas Akane Yamaguchi, a classy consistent player makes a return after almost and year.
Sindhu leads the head-to-head 10-7 against the Japanese. The 5 feet tall Japanese has won all three of their last three meetings.
Nehwal to face Mia
Saina Nehwal will play her opening round against seventh seed Mia Blichfeldt of Denmark. The young Dane has been in great form as she even beat Saina’s compatriot PV Sindhu in the first round of the Yonex Thailand Open 2021.
Ratchanok Intanon, Thailand’s favorite women’s singles player faces Kristin Kuuba of Estonia in the first round. Busanan Ongbumrungphan, also from Thailand, the eighth seed, will take on Kisona Selvaduray of Malaysia.
Nozomi Okuhara[2] from Japan will face Julie Dawall Jakobsen of Denmark. The quarterfinal clash in the lower half of the draw is likely to be Nozomi Okuhara against Busanan and Mia Blichfeldt could fight against Ratchanok Intanon.
Also Read: All England Open: Men’s singles preview
