Two-time former champion Kieran Merrilees may have to overcome two other past winners if he is to lift the men’s singles title for the third time at this weekend’s Yonex Scottish National Badminton Championships.
The championships are being played in Perth for the 13th year in a row and Glasgow’s Merrilees, who was given a first-round bye in yesterday’s draw, is likely to face joint third seed and two-time champion GordonThomson (Glasgow) or three-times winner Craig Goddard (East Kilbride) in the semi-finals.
Defending champion Calum Menzies (Falkirk) is the second seed and his first big test as he chases a third title could come as soon as the quarter-finals where he could face Prestwick’s Josh Neil, with a potential clash against Glasgow’s Ben Torrance, the other third seed, in the last four.
In the women’s event, 16-year-old Sarah Findlay (Erskine) could be the first player to face Kirsty Gilmour, who is bidding to win a third title in a row.
If the Erskine teenager comes through her opening clash with Glasgow’s Frances Heslop, she will face the top seed and recent Swedish Masters winner.
In the men’s doubles Matthew Duguid (Stonehaven) and Robert Dunn (Motherwell) have the first crack at top seeds Paul Van Rietvelde (Longniddry) and Robert Blair (Glasgow) in the second round.
Joint third seeds Neil and Torrance start with a second round test against Niall Jarvie (Crieff) and David Purdie (Largs).
Findlay and women’s doubles partner Toni Woods (Falkirk) will also face top seeds Gilmour and Imogen Bankier in the second round if they overcome Lynne Dargie (Prestwick) and Kirsten Thomsen (Darvel).
In the mixed doubles Swedish Masters winners Blair and Bankier team up again, with Bankier looking for her eighth title in a row.
Van Rietvelde and Cooper are expected to come through from the bottom half of the draw.
The action runs from Friday until Sunday and is a last chance to see Scotland’s top players in action at home before the Commonwealth Games.
Tickets are available from BADMINTONscotland or from Bell’s Sports Centre.
Friday: Adult £3/concession £2. Saturday: £5/£3.Sunday: £7/£5. Season tickets: £10/£7.