(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) 2012 semifinalist says all eight qualifiers have equal chances.
Hans-Kristian Vittinghus does not consider himself an outsider. — Supplied photo
Dubai — Denmark has produced some of the greatest players in badminton history and this time lovers of the sport will be able to see 28-year old Hans-Kristian Vittinghus making an effort to upset the form book set by the organisers and seeding committee.
The season-ending $1 million MetLife BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals sees him as the sixth placed qualifier and he believes that he has the ability to cause some major upsets to win the gold medal and rich cash prize on offer for the first time in his career.
Only the eight highest-ranked eligible shuttlers have qualified for the seventh edition of the Superseries Finals which will be staged at the Hamdan Sports Complex from December 17-21 and Vittinghus will be among those vying for a share of the largest ever prize money in the sport at this edition of the tournament. Thomas Cup team-mate Jan Jorgensen ranked second in the race to Dubai points table is the second Danish name in the top eight for the extravaganza next week in the UAE.
Norway has been a happy hunting ground for Vittinghus where he has pocketed the International leg title there no less than three times. The European Team Championship gold-medallist reached the semis of the 2012 edition of the Superseries Finals.
After failing to qualify for last year’s Superseries year-ender he is reaching Dubai well ahead of time to get acclimatised to the playing conditions here like a Viking warrior before a big battle.
Vittinghus told the organisers and media: “In all honesty I think I’m probably one of the biggest underdogs in the men’s singles.
“But I made the semifinal of the 2012 edition so I know it’s possible. Back then I progressed on a better game-difference so I for one know how important it is to try your best in every single game and fight for every single point.”
World champion Chen Long of China Kidambi Srikanth of India Son Wan Ho of South Korea Japan’s Kento Momota and Kenichi Tago of Japan and Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia are the other players who will fight out for the men’s singles title in Dubai.
Vittinghus added: “I’ve had three main goals of the year. One of them was to qualify for Destination Dubai with the other two being to perform well at All-England and World Championships. So I’m very happy to be here and it’s of course an important tournament to me. It’s a chance to finish what has been my best year to date on a high. I think the key to winning this event is to stay mentally tough be consistent and do everything possible to play my best badminton ever.
“It’s great to see we’ve had seven different winners of Superseries events in the men’s singles. It just goes to show how small the difference is between the top players” he continued.
“I believe the Finals have always been an open show but it might be even more open this year with the playing legends Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan out of it. None of us eight who have qualified have showed the same kind of consistency as those two and since I believe this is the key to winning it’s hard to say who will run away with the honours this time.”
He feels that he still has a chance and can cause some upsets. “I’m very excited to be playing in Dubai and visiting the city for the first time. I hope there will be a great turnout and I’m looking forward to meet all the fans. I also have a couple of friends traveling from Denmark to support me and the other Danes so I’m sure it will be a great experience for me.”
monikhaleejtimes.com
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