H.S Prannoy replicated compatriot Kidambi Srikanth's 2015 triumph last year, meaning Indian players will now be hoping for three victories in a row at St. Jakobshalle in Münchenstein.

Prannoy is seeded sixth this time and will play Russia's Sergey Sirant in round one.

He is joined in the main draw of the men's singles by compatriots Ajay Jayaram, Sameer Verma, Subhankar Dey and Sourabh Verma.

Double Olympic champion Lin Dan of China is also in action.

The Beijing 2008 and London 2012 men's singles champion is the tournament's top seed and is due to face Zvonimir Durkinjak of Croatia in the opening round.

There is also an Indian threat in the women's singles event as Saina Nehwal is the top seed.

An Olympic bronze medallist at London 2012, Nehwal was ranked number one in the world in 2015 but now finds herself ninth.

The 26-year-old is scheduled to open her campaign in Münchenstein against Nanna Vainio of Finland in round one.

Nehwal's biggest rival is expected to be Beiwan Zhang of the United States, the tournament's second seed.

The runner-up of the 2016 French Open will take on Mariya Mitsova of Bulgaria in round one.

China's Chen Yufei is also a contender.

The 19-year-old, the reigning BWF World Junior Championships gold medallist, is seeded third and will play Ukraine's Maria Ulitina tomorrow.

Chinese duo Chai Biao and Hong Wei are the top seeds in the men's doubles event, while compatriots Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan lead the way in the women's doubles competition.

Chen and partner Zheng Siwei are the number one seeds in the mixed doubles tournament.

They open their campaign against Indonesian duo of Alfian Eko Prasetya and Annisa Saufika.

There is a total prize fund of $120,000 (£98,000/€112,000) for the tournament, a Grand Prix Gold level event.

Action is due to begin tomorrow with qualification and first round matches.