Reigning world champion P.V. Sindhu has got an easy passage to the quarterfinals but her compatriot Saina Nehwal was not as fortunate, drawing a tougher first-round opponent in the prestigious All-England Championships.
The tournament is scheduled to be played in Birmingham from March 17-21.
The 2021 All-England Open will be the second tournament this year to offer ranking points to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, after the Swiss Open.
According to the draw released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Tuesday, Olympic silver medallist Sindhu will kick off her campaign in the women's singles with a clash against Malaysia's Soniia Cheah.
READ: P.V. Sindhu trains at Jwala Gutta Academy of Excellence
Provided she wins here initial rounds, Sindhu could face Japan's Akane Yamaguchi in the quarterfinals and arch-rival Carolina Marin in the semifinals.
Marin has been given top billing for the tournament while Sindhu is seeded 5th.
London Olympics bronze medallist Saina has drawn the in-form Mia Blichfeldt of Denmark in her first round women's singles match.
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Parupalli Kashyap has also got a tough draw as he locks horn with world No. 1 Japanese Kento Momota in his opener.
In other men's singles matches, Kidambi Srikanth is set to face the formidable Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia in the opening round while world championships bronze medallist B Sai Praneeth will take on France's Toma Junior Popov.
The Indian shutters are scheduled to play in the Swiss Open, which starts form March 3, before the All England championships.
Saina and Srikanth will have more time to make the Tokyo Olympics with the BWF extending the qualification period.
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