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MANILA, Philippines - The world's second seed leads top international shuttlers returning to action in the 3rd Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open Badminton Championships.
Hong Kong’s Zhou Mi guns for a second straight crown in the women’s singles of the prestigious Grand Prix Gold event starting on July 1 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The 30-year-old Zhou will defend her title against compatriots Wang Chen, the world’s fifth-ranked player who is fresh off a quarterfinal finish in the Asian Badminton Championships, and world No. 18 Yip Pui-yin, also a quarterfinalist at the recent All-England Super Series.
Other top contenders vying for the $6,000 top purse include China’s Jiang Yanjiao, Singapore’s Xing Aiying and Ming Tian Fu, Canada’s Charmaine Reid, Bulgaria’s Linda Zechiri, Slovenia’s Maja Tvrdy and Germany’s Nicole Grether.
Gelita Castillo and Malvinne Alcala head the Philippine contingent challenging Zhou, the world’s former No. 1 who disposed China’s Zhu Jingjing in straight sets to bag the 2007 championship.
The $120,000 event organized by the International Management Group will showcase the men’s singles, the men and ladies’ doubles and mixed doubles over five days.
Local shuttlers including Fatima Cruz, Janelle De Vera, Irene Chiu, Juvy Villarta, Reyne Calimlim, Anna Barredo and Camille Yang also get a chance to earn world ranking points needed to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.
For information, visit wwww.philopenbadminton.com and ticketworld.com.ph.
