Badminton: Potential clashes between world's best at OUE Singapore Open next month

Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia hits a return to Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia during their men's singles final match at the Malaysian Open Super Series 2014 badminton tournament in Kuala Lumpur January 19, 2014. Indonesian shuttler Tommy Sugiarto will have
Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia hits a return to Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia during their men's singles final match at the Malaysian Open Super Series 2014 badminton tournament in Kuala Lumpur January 19, 2014. Indonesian shuttler Tommy Sugiarto will have to get past world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei if he is to defend his trophy at next month's OUE Singapore Open. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Indonesian shuttler Tommy Sugiarto will have to get past world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei if he is to defend his trophy at next month's OUE Singapore Open.

The world No. 4 was drawn in the same half as the Malaysian, setting up a potential mouthwatering clash in the semi-finals. Said Lee, who will be competing in the event for the first time since 2010: "I will definitely give my very best and aim to reach the final in order not to disappoint my fans."

Japan's world No. 3 Kenichi Tago could meet Thailand's world No. 6 Boonsak Ponsana. The Thai is a two-time champion at the Singapore Open, having also made the finals on three separate occasions.

In the women's singles, defending champion Wang Yihan will have to negotiate past world champion Ratchanok Intanon (No. 4) and India's world No. 8 Saina Nehwal in her half, before possibly playing compatriot Li Xuerui (No. 1) in what would be a repeat of last year's final.

The Singapore Open, one of the events on the MetLife BWF World SuperSeries, will take place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium from April 8-13. Tickets are on sale at www.sportshubtix.sg. For more information, visit www.singaporebadmintonopen.sg

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