World number one men’s singles player, Lee Chong Wei, and world number two men’s doubles player, Koo Kien Keat, both from Malaysia, arrived in Sydney this morning.

This is the second visit for both players in Australia, who were here for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. It was a fond memory for the both of them, Lee, a double gold medalist, and Koo, a triple gold medalist at the event.

Adding to the big names in practice today, former world and Olympic champion, Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia, was enjoying a hit out with 2012 Yonex Australian Badminton Open runner up, Tien Minh Nguyen of Vietnam.

The Australian national team had their final hit out at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre earlier this morning, with qualifying and main draw matches commencing tomorrow.

2012 London Olympic women’s doubles quarterfinalist, Renuga Veeran, will play her first international tournament since the Olympics, with new partner Eugenia Tanaka.

Veeran, whose previous partner Leanne Choo is on an extended break, was inspired by her performance in London, and has put in the hard yards to ascend her career. “Renuga is much fitter and playing better than last year,” said Badminton Australia National Head Coach, Lasse Bundgaard.

The only challenge for Bundgaard, is to match Veeran with a long term suitable partner. While she will partner Tanaka at the Yonex Australian Badminton Open, Bundgaard is eyeing off six-time All England and triple world champion, Huang Sui, formerly of China, who is now based in Australia.