Saina aims top-5 return at China Open

Unseeded Arundhati Pantawane, the other Indian in women's singles, will face another unseeded opponent in Eriko Hirose of Japan. The Nagpur shuttler is in good form and has reached a career best ranking of 47 after good performances at the Denmark and French Open.

In men's singles, unseeded Parupalli Kashyap will face eighth seed Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand in his campaign opener.

Although Ponsana is a formidable opponent, Kashyap will take heart from the fact that he has performed well against the Thai in the past.

World No.12 Kashyap had reached the quarterfinals last year here and will aim for another good performance. If Kashyap manages to reach the quarters, then could face top seed and World No.1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia.