Australian Open: No Ginting, Christie in Zii Jia's way in Sydney

Ginting and Christie, seeded third and fourth respectively, were reported by Indonesian media to have pulled out to recuperate ahead of the World Tour Finals (WTF), which both of them already qualified for.

Lee, meanwhile, needs a big outing to make the season finale as he sits just outside the top eight ranked shuttlers who will make the cut.

The Malaysian, who is top seed in Sydney, faces a qualifier whom he is expected to beat.

Lee’s test should come in the second round against Lu Guang Zu, who occupies the final automatic spot for the WTF.

The world number two comes into this event having had mixed results in his last two in Europe.

He reached the Denmark Open final before losing in three games to China’s Shi Yu Qi, and then lost in the French Open first round.

Liew Daren and Ng Tze Yong are also in the main draw, but face tough opponents in Zhao Jun Peng and Kunvalut Vitidsarn respectively.

In the women’s singles, S.Kisona takes on Pornpawee Chochuwong hoping to produce an upset and end the year on a promising note.

Kisona skipped the Hylo Open to prepare for this Super 300 event, and had been diligently working with her new coach James Chua to raise her levels.

Goh Jin Wei and Soniia Cheah are also in the mix and expected to clear their first round matches.

Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi have already made the WTF cut, but the professional men’s doubles pair will be seeking to go far after doing well in their last three events.

The other men’s doubles combinations are Boon Xin Yuan-Wong Tien Ci, Nur Azriyn Ayub-Low Juan Shen, Tan Kian Meng-Tan Wee Kiong and Goh V Shem-Lim Kim Wah.

Malaysia are only represented by Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien in the women’s doubles, who take on local pair Majan Almazan-Tiffany Ho in the first round.

There is a big participation in the mixed doubles through Hoo Pang Ron-Toh Ee Wei, Chen Tang Jie-Yap Ling, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, Wong Tien Ci-Lim and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai.