Long, Marin set to sizzle

Dubai - India's Saina excited to play in front of her 'second home' supporters

Another year will go by without the presence of the playing legends of modern badminton - Lin Dan (China) and Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia) - at the year-end $1 million BWF Dubai World Superseries finals from Dec. 9-13 at the iconic Hamdan Sports Complex, off the Emirates highway.
But the badminton followers here who are appreciative of the finer aspects of the sport will be aware of the fact that Chen Long, the new emperor of the game, has been in imperious form for the past two seasons, and it comes as no surprise that he is the reigning two-time world champion and the defending champion of the year-ending superseries which he won in great style the same time last season.
China's Chen may not be the super stylist who can entertain with calm and easy looking shot making like Lin and Lee, but the six footer covers the court with as much speed and agility. Lin and Lee fell out of the Dubai list this time through injury and a shortage of crucial points in the race to the finals.
"My pool for qualifying is of high quality and being the year-end championships, one gets to see the best available. I think the event will grow bigger and better, provided the sponsors list which is increasing these days keep pulling in the best with more prize money. This is one great incentive for new generation players to come to the sport seriously," Chen said.
Chen plays Tian Houwei (China) on the opening day today who originally was in the top eight of the qualifiers but had to make way for the higher ranked Lin as the event stipulates a maximum of two players per nation. On Lin's last minute withdrawal, Tian deservedly comes into the picture. Others challenging Chen in Group A for the top two slots for a semifinal qualification are 2014 runners-up Jan O. Jorgensen (Denmark), and Hu Yun (Hong Kong). Group B action will witness second seed Kento Momota (Japan) fighting for a semis berth against Viktor Axelsen (Denmark), Chou Tien Chen (Chinese Taipei) and Kidambi Srikanth (India).
Carolina Marin stopped the all-conquering Chinese brigade with superlative performances in 2014 and 2015 where the world championship and other top of the table trophies were included her travel baggage. She could not make it to Dubai in the inaugural chapter of the finals due to a foot problem.
"I am glad to be part of the field this year. For me it is a challenge by itself as playing in a league cum knockout format has its extra demands and pressure. The pool I am in is a tough one but I can derive some satisfaction that I know all their games and style well, though I have lost to two of them this season," said Carolina whose phenomenal success in a minority sport in her country has brought in so many new followers.
"Yes, I agree Spain is strong in so many other sports. Of late I have noticed the interest in badminton growing as I see children picking up a racquet and having a go on the streets. This is important because children today have seen a higher level of the sport on TV for them to try picking up a completely new sport. It has caught their fancy," Carolina added.
Carolina has defending champion Tai Tzu Ying  of Chinese Taipei as her first Group A opponent Wednesday.
Carolina has also to shrug off the determined challenges of Saina Nehwal whom she has beaten in the finals of the All England and the World Championships this season, and Nozomi Okuhara (Japan). Second seed Wang Shixian of China has teammate Wang Yihan, Ratchanok Intanon (Thailand) and the 2014 runner-up Sung Ji Hyun (South Korea) as the main hurdles to cross before making plans for a semifinal date.
The ever popular star and the biggest draw here, 2014 semifinalist Saina Nehwal, who is slowly recovering from a foot problem, said: "Dubai and the UAE are like a second home after the India events. The spectators fully back me and I am so glad to return." Japanese youngster Nazomi Okuhara plays Saina on Wednesday.
The five-day event will also showcase the top eight qualifiers from the doubles events of the grinding 12-event world superseries circuit.
moni@khaleejtimes.com