World No.7 Ratchanok Intanon will begin the defence of her India Open title in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old Thai, who is the fifth seed this week, will take on world No.85 Gao Fangjie of China in the opening round of the women's singles.
Ratchanok's confidence has been boosted by her impressive run at the All England Open this month when she lost to Taiwan's Tai Tzu Ying in the final.
It was her first tournament of the year after returning from a knee injury.
"I do not have problems with my knee now,'' said Ratchanok.
"I do not feel under pressure as the defending champion. My target is to reach the semi-finals."
Although Gao is ranked much lower than Ratchanok, the Thai said she would not underestimate her opponent.
"You just can't underestimate any Chinese players,'' said Ratchanok.
After her triumph in India last year, Ratchanok secured two more titles in Malaysia and Singapore to become the first female shuttler to claim three consecutive Superseries wins.
Unfortunately, that achievement also marked the beginning of a slump.
An early exit at the 2016 Olympics was followed by a string of setbacks as she ended the year with a poor showing at the World Superseries Finals.
Also in the women's singles at the India Open, world No.12 and eighth seed Busanan Ongbamrungphan will meet Chen Xiaoxin of China, while No.38 Pornpawee Chochuwong will face Hsu Ya Ching from Taiwan.
No.11 Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk, the only Thai in the men's singles competition, will have a tough test against No.9 Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan in the first round.
In the mixed doubles, Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai will be trying to win back-to-back titles after their success at the Swiss Open.
The duo will begin their campaign against Kim Gi-Jung and Shin Seung-Chan of South Korea.