Indian ace shuttler Saina Nehwal plans come back in China Open next month

Hyderabad: Star Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal will return to competitive action at the China Open next month following recovery from a knee injury that derailed her Olympic campaign.

Saina, who resumed match practice this week, would vie for the honours in the China Open starting November 12, according to her father Harvir Singh.

Saina, who is currently ranked 5th in BWF world rankings, was the runners-up in China Open last year and the winner in the year before that.

Saina, who has recently been appointed a member of the International Olympic Committee's Athletes' Commission, will not be able to attend the next meeting of the panel, slated to be held on November 6, due to her participation in the China Open, Singh told PTI here.

Saina had sustained an intra-articular injury (inside the joint) to her right knee and had lost in the Group Stage in the Rio Olympics. She underwent a surgery for the injury and was on a rehab process for recovery.