The Indian Open Super Series badminton tournament begins at the Siri Fort sports complex in New Delhi on Tuesday. It is the first super series event in the country and many world class shuttlers like Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia, Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia and Tine Baun of Denmark are taking part in it. However, all top Chinese players, currently dominating the badminton arena, have decided to give the event a skip because of their packed schedule.As many as 203 players, comprising 109 men and 94 women, from 16 nations will vie for top honours in the two lakh dollar prize purse event. The richest badminton event will have top 32 players in both men's and women's single and doubles. India's challenge in this tournament will be spearheaded by Saina Nehwal along with Commonwealth Games (CWG) medallists Jwala Gutta, and Ashwini Ponnappa. P Kashyap another CWG medallist will lead the men's challenge. 21-year-old Indian ace Saina Nehwal starts as the hot favourite in the women's singles. World number four Saina will take on Ai Goto of Japan in the first round of the women's singles. Once the first hurdle is crossed, Saina is likely to face her new rival Eriko Hirose, seeded fifth, in the quarterfinals. Hirose had spoilt Saina's All England dream but the Indian was quick to avenge her loss in the Swiss Open and it would be a mouth-watering match if their path cross in the Indian Open. In women's doubles, eighth seeds Jwala and Ashwini have already got a bye in the first round and will take on the winner of Eei Hui Chin and Pei Tty Wong of Malaysia and India pair of PC Thulasi and Sikki Reddy.