Wednesday, 25 Dec 2024

BWF News

Having secured the Olympic crown, Chen Long may receive an extra blessing later this year if he doesn’t qualify directly for the Dubai World Superseries Finals. Currently sitting in 14th place in the Men’s Singles Destination Dubai Rankings, the Rio 2016 champion may have to rely on a wild card to compete in the season finale, scheduled for 14-18 December at Hamdan Sports Complex. Interestingly, his spot in the finals will likely come at the expense of his senior Chinese teammate, Lin Dan.

Both players have chosen not to participate in this week’s Yonex Denmark Open and next week’s Yonex French Open, leaving them with only two more events on the MetLife BWF World Superseries tour (in China and Hong Kong) before the Dubai showpiece. Tian Houwei, their compatriot, currently leads the overall race to the desert finale and is virtually guaranteed a spot. With a maximum of two places per category per member association, China’s second spot in Men’s Singles should go to seventh-placed Lin Dan. However, as the Olympic champion, Chen Long is entitled to a BWF wild card. In an Olympic year, gold medalists who don’t qualify for the Dubai classic will be awarded wild cards if they are in the world top 20, which Chen comfortably is, ranked as world No.2 behind Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei.

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Chen, the 2014 Dubai champion, has not had his best World Superseries season, with his best finish being runner-up in Malaysia. It remains to be seen if he can surpass Lin Dan and make it into the top eight with limited opportunities remaining. Regardless of how he reaches Dubai, fans will be delighted to see the 27-year-old in action again, competing for one of badminton’s most prestigious prizes.

Meanwhile, Tian Houwei, the runner-up at the Yonex All England Open, has emerged as the most consistent Chinese Men’s Singles player on the Superseries circuit this season. His quarter-final finish in Korea helped him climb two places to the top of the Destination Dubai Rankings.

Denmark’s Jan O Jorgensen, who came close to dethroning World No.1 Lee Chong Wei in Japan, is closely behind in second place. Jorgensen reached his second consecutive Superseries final after Indonesia, and as in Jakarta, it took all of Lee’s skill to secure the title in Tokyo. This win gave Lee his third Superseries title of the year and his 44th Superseries title overall. Lee, the most successful Superseries player this season, is currently fifth in the Destination Dubai Rankings.

Korea’s Son Wan Ho holds the third spot after making it to the final on his home turf but losing to the fierce attacks of young Chinese player Qiao Bin, who pocketed his first Superseries title. Xiamenair Australian Open champion Hans-Kristian Vittinghus is fourth, while Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen and Germany’s Marc Zwiebler are ranked eighth and sixth, respectively, after Axelsen’s early exit in Japan. Axelsen returned home to rest and prepare for his home Yonex Denmark Open, where he could be the player to watch as he seeks his first Superseries victory. There will be fierce competition among the Danish trio in the top eight, composed of Jorgensen, Vittinghus, and Axelsen, with only two spots available.

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While the focus will be on the big stars, let’s not forget about Wong Wing Ki. The Hong Kong player, often considered an underdog in the Superseries, impressed with his semi-final finish at the Victor Korea Open, where he defeated Tian Houwei. This result propelled him eight places up the rankings to No. 13, putting him within reach of the elite eight.

Other players, such as Ng Ka Long and Hu Yun from Hong Kong, India’s Kidambi Srikanth, and Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen, also have a chance to make it to Dubai.

FAQs

Q: Will Chen Long be able to compete in the Dubai World Superseries Finals?

A: Chen Long’s current ranking may not secure him a direct qualification for the Dubai World Superseries Finals. However, as the Olympic champion, he is entitled to a BWF wild card if he is within the world top 20.

Q: How has Tian Houwei performed in the Superseries circuit this season?

A: Tian Houwei, the runner-up at the Yonex All England Open, has been the most consistent Chinese Men’s Singles player on the Superseries circuit this season. His strong performance in Korea helped him secure the top spot in the Destination Dubai Rankings.

Q: Who are the top contenders in the Destination Dubai Rankings for Men’s Singles?

A: The current top contenders in the Destination Dubai Rankings for Men’s Singles include Tian Houwei, Jan O Jorgensen, Son Wan Ho, Hans-Kristian Vittinghus, Lee Chong Wei, Marc Zwiebler, Lin Dan, and Viktor Axelsen.

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Summary

Chen Long, the Olympic champion, may rely on a wild card to secure a spot in the Dubai World Superseries Finals. His current rank in the Men’s Singles Destination Dubai Rankings may not be enough to qualify him directly for the season finale. Meanwhile, Tian Houwei has emerged as the most consistent Chinese player on the Superseries circuit this season, leading the overall race to the desert finale. With strong competition from top players like Jan O Jorgensen and Lee Chong Wei, the battle for the top eight spots in Men’s Singles is intense. Other contenders, including Wong Wing Ki and Ng Ka Long, will also be vying for a chance to compete in Dubai.