Kashyap to lead Indian charge at Denmark open

New Delhi :

Commonwealth Games bronze medallist shuttler P Kashyap will spearhead Indian challenge in the Denmark Open Super Series badminton tournament starting in Odense on Tuesday.

Kashyap, who beat compatriot Chetan Anand in the bronze medal play-off during the Games, said he is not looking beyond the first round where he plays Scott Evans of Ireland.

"I am not thinking about anything else. Playing the first round is in my mind at this moment," Kashyap said.

Asked about third seed Boonsak Ponsana, whom he is likely to meet in the second round, Kashyap said, "I haven't played him before. He is a good player. Let's see what happens.

"There was a little problem with my cuff muscle but now it is fine. It is always difficult to start after a gruelling tournament like the Commonwealth Games," he added.

The 2006 Melbourne Games bronze medallist Chetan Anand will also star in the event after failing to defend his title in the Dutch Open last week.

World number 17 Chetan, who lost his quarterfinals match in Dutch Open, will open his campaign against eighth seed Yun Hu of Hong Kong.

Anand Pawar, who lost in the Dutch open semifinal to compatriot Ajay Jayaram, will take on Dane Hans-Kristian Vittinghus in the first round of the men's singles.