Son Wan Ho will hope to justify his top seeding ©Getty Images

South Korea's Son Wan Ho will hope to live up to his status as top seed when the Badminton World Federation (BWF) German Open begins tomorrow. 

The 29-year-old is expected to be the man to beat at the sixth event of the BWF World Tour season.

The Super 300 competition will begin tomorrow at the Innogy Sporthalle in Mülheim, with qualification matches deciding the full first round line-up for the men’s and women’s events.

Son is already assured of a place in the men’s singles first round, with the South Korean due to meet Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto.

The opposite half of the draw will see second seed Lin Dan of China, a double Olympic champion, face Denmark's Jan Ø. Jørgensen in an eagerly anticipated match.

Akane Yamaguchi is the defending champion in the women's singles event ©Getty Images
Akane Yamaguchi is the defending champion in the women's singles event ©Getty Images

Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien-chen triumphed in the event last year and the fourth seed will begin his title defence with a match against Jeon Hyeok-Jin of South Korea.

Akane Yamaguchi clinched the women’s singles crown in 2017 and returns as the top seed.

The Japanese player will begin with a match against Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt.

Second seeded Sung Ji-hyun of South Korea faces the challenge of Indonesia’s Fitriani in the opening round.

Competition will take place until March 11.