Badminton: Top seeding for Kirsty Gilmour in Perth

WITH the Olympics her main focus, six times champion Susan Egelstaff will not be taking part in the Yonex Scottish National Championships at Bell’s Sports centre in Perth, but her absence opens the door for teenager Kirsty Gilmour to confirm she is Scotland’s next big singles hope.

The Bothwell 18-year-old is the No 1 seed ahead of the three-time runner-up, Linda Sloan, but she could face a tough semi-final against the former Scottish No 1, Rita Yuan Gao, who is now coaching in Switzerland but is returning to Perth to try and win the singles for a fifth time.

Holder Kieran Merrilees is the favourite in the men’s singles ahead of 2010 champion, Calum Menzies, while Jamie Neil and Keith Turnbull are tipped to stage a successful defence of the men’s doubles.

Imogen Bankier, another of Scotland’s Olympic hopefuls, is favourite to win two titles. Alongside Watson Briggs, the Glasgow player is seeking a fifth mixed title, while she is No 1 seed alongside Jillie Cooper in the women’s doubles.