Badminton World Superseries Finals-Destination Dubai

The badminton season will end on a spectacular note as the world’s best head to Dubai for the Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals. With the best eight men’s singles, women’s singles and doubles pairs in the fray, it promises to be an exciting and fitting finale to this year. This year end tournament was first organised in 2008 and will be held in Dubai for the next 4 years, 2014-2017.

On December 17, the Hamdan Sports Complex will be host to some thrilling matches as eight players/pairs from each of the 5 categories will be competing for US $1 million, the highest ever offered in the history of the Finals. The eligible players have been decided on the basis of points gathered on 12 World Superseries events over the whole year.

The Men’s singles promises to be produce fireworks even in the absence of defending champion Lee Chong Wei and Two-time Olympic Champion Lin Dan. Chen Long from China, the clear favourite will be challenged by Dane Jan Jorgensen and last year’s runner-up Tommy Sugiarto. China Open champion, India’s rising star K.Srikkanth and Hong Kong Open champion Son Wan Ho are coming into the tournament on a high and will be strong contenders too. Kenchi Momota, Vittinghus and Kenichi Tago complete the line-up.

Li Xuerui-the defending champion will be missing this year’s tournament paving the way for a new champion in the Women’s Singles event. Chinese Wang Shixian and Wang Yihan, China Open winner Saina Nehwal, World Champion Ratchanok Intanon are the front runners for the title. India’s lone hope in this event, Saina started the year slowly, but is in fine form and high on confidence after regaining the China Open.

The Men’s doubles should be the most closely fought affair with Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan last year’s winners, to be challenged by top seeds Yong Dae/Seong and the pairing of Sheng Mu/Chia Hsin from Taipei. The consistent Boe/Mogensen pair will also look to put up a good fight along with Endo/Hayakawa of Japan.

Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi will be looking to derail Pedersen/Ruhl ‘s defence of the crown as will the Japanese pair of Kakiiwa/Maeda in the Women’s doubles. The Chinese pairs –Qing/Yunlei and Ying/Yu are also strong contenders.

The Mixed doubles has a mix of countries with China being the only nation fielding two pairs. Xu Chen/Ma Jin are favourites, with second seeds Nan/Yunlei and defending champions Nielsen/Pederson threatening to spoil their party.

The eight pairs/player will be divided into two groups, with the top two from each group progressing to the Semi-finals. Destination Dubai promises edge-of-the seat action and high level badminton. Every athlete will need to be at the top of their game and it surely will be a feast for the badminton fans as the 2014 season comes to an end.