Srikanth Kidambi will be among the players seeking to make the most of Viktor Axelsen's absence ©Getty Images

Srikanth Kidambi will hope to take advantage of the withdrawal of world number one Viktor Axelsen when the All England Open begins tomorrow.

Axelsen has been forced to pull out of the Badminton World Federation World Tour Super 1000 event, having suffered an ankle injury.

It offers Srikanth the opportunity to assume the world number one spot but it would depend on the Indian player triumphing in the tournament at Arena Birmingham for the first time in his career.

His previous record at the tournament does not make positive reading, though, having suffered first round defeats on three of his four appearances.

Srikanth's progressed beyond this stage in 2016 but was beaten in the second round.

France's Brice Leverdez will hope to add to the third seed's less than illustrious record when they meet in the first round.

Taiwan's Tai Tzu-ying is the defending women's singles champion ©Getty Images
Taiwan's Tai Tzu-ying is the defending women's singles champion ©Getty Images

Malaysia's defending champion Lee Chong Wei will also be in action, with the second seed set to meet Brazil's Ygor Coelho de Oliveira in his opening match.

Women's world number one Tai Tzu-ying will hope to defend her singles title.

The Taiwanese player is scheduled to begin her campaign against India's Saina Nehwal, a former world number one.

Second seed Akane Yamaguchi opens her tournament against player from Taiwan, Lee Chia-hsin.

Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon, the third seed, is set take on Canada's Michelle Li.

The tournament is due to conclude with the finals on Sunday (March 18).