Chen, Carolina lead singles field

Dubai - The top-eight finishers on the BWF Destination Dubai Rankings in men's and women's singles and doubles and mixed doubles are eligible for the Dubai championships.

Next month's blockbuster BWF Dubai World Superseries Finals at the Hamdan Sports Complex from December 9-13 promises rich fare for badminton lovers here.
After the last of the 12 MetLife BWF World Superseries tournaments - the Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open - the season-ender has begun to take shape with the likes of Men's Singles titans, defending champ Chen Long and Lin Dan of China, Denmark's Jan Jorgensen and Viktor Axelsen, and India's Kidambi Srikanth, as well as Women's Singles world No.1 Carolina Marin of Spain, India's golden girl Saina Nehwal and China's dynamic duo of Wang Shixian and Wang Yihan, all securing their berths for the showdown.
The top-eight finishers on the BWF Destination Dubai Rankings in men's and women's singles and doubles and mixed doubles are eligible for the Dubai championships. Apart from the world class action in the singles competitions, it is also set to feature a brilliant line-up of top pairs across all three doubles disciplines.
On the Men's Singles landscape, Chen looms large as the one to beat after a year which has seen him defend his World championships crown and take five Superseries titles. But with badminton legend, two time Olympic champion and five time world champion Lin back in form, Chen will have to produce his best to retain his title. Jorgensen and Axelsen are also in the hunt, having both claimed a Lin Dan scalp this year. Srikanth managed to hang on to take the final qualifying place, but will have to turn around his recent slump to make an impression this year.
Women's Singles world champion Carolina Marin is on a roll, taking five titles in 2015, and finishing top of the qualifying table. Wang Shixian and Wang Yihan took the next two spots, despite neither taking a title this year. Their countrywoman Li Xuerui finished fourth but missed the cut as no country can field more than two singles players or pairs per category. Saina also earned a berth, along with last year's winner, Chinese Taipei's Tai Tzu Ying.
Marin will be making her first appearance in Dubai after missing qualification last year,  said: "Dubai will be a tough tournament, but of course I'm happy I could qualify, so looking forward to playing there. Every opponent is tough, but the toughest opponent is going to be myself. So if I control myself, I know I can win all the games."