Aust badminton team hopes to surprise

Five Australian badminton players headed for Rio admit they are the underdogs, but say they are hoping to cause some upsets at the Olympics.

Australia's underdog badminton players are hoping to cause some upsets when the majority make their Olympic debuts in Rio.

Oceania champion Hsuan-Yu Wendy Chen is among the Games newcomers in a team of three men and two women named on Tuesday and she will contest the women's singles.

London Olympian Leanne Choo will play alongside English-born debutant Robin Middleton in the mixed doubles.

Men's doubles players Sawan Serasinghe and Matt Chau will both hit the Olympic court for the first time at just 21 and 22 years of age.

China won all five badminton gold and eight of the 15 medals on offer in London, and is likely to dominate again in Rio.

Middleton says the competition will be tough, but he and Choo are aiming to reach the quarter-finals.

"If we get there then we could have a shot for a medal, as all the pressure will be on the opponents as they will be expected to win," he said.

The pair claimed the mixed doubles 2016 Oceania title, but Middleton said the 18-month qualification period has been testing for them.

"We have pushed through some rough patches on and off court but we have come through more united and stronger for it," he said.

Chau and Serasinghe are also hoping to make the quarter-final stage and cause the world's best some headaches.

Serasinghe believes his on-court bond with Chau and their strong mental and physical preparation could cause some upsets in Brazil.

"The connection with the partner is very important in doubles as we are always working together," he said.

The badminton lineup takes the overall 2016 Australian Olympic team to 187 across 18 sports, with an expected final team of more than 400 athletes.


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Source: AAP



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