Dubai: Hans-Kristian Vittinghus, the 28-year old from Denmark, will arrive in Dubai next week ahead of the season-ending BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals as the seventh-placed qualifier — and he believes he has the ability to cause a major upset and win the trophy for the first time.
Only the eight highest-ranked eligible shuttlers have qualified for the seventh edition of the Superseries Finals, which this year will be staged at the Hamdan Sports Complex from December 17 to 21, and Vittinghus will be among those vying for a share of the $1 million (Dh3.678 million) prize money.
The three-time Norwegian International champion and two-time European Team Championship gold-medallist reached the semi-finals of the 2012 edition of the Superseries Finals, and is aiming for nothing less than the title this time around. After failing to qualify last year, the Frederikshavn-born player is looking to make the most of his appearance in Dubai.
“I think I’m probably one of the biggest underdogs in the men’s singles competition, so it’s obvious for me I can’t take a semi-final place for granted. But I made the semi-final of the 2012 edition, so I know it’s possible,” he said.
“Back then, I progressed on a better game-difference, so I know how important it is to try your best in every single game and fight for every single point. But that’s how I always play, which is something I’m proud of and intend to keep on doing.
“So I’ll just go out there and give it my best shot from the very start till the end. Let’s just hope the end will not be until the final on Sunday.”
The other men’s singles contenders for this year’s Superseries Finals are world champion Chen Long of China, Indonesia Open champion and Vittinghus’ compatriot Jan O. Jorgensen of Denmark, China Open champion Kidambi Srikanth of India, Hong Kong Open champion Son Wan-ho of Korea, Kento Momota and Kenichi Tago of Japan and Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia.
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.”
This year has been very open, with many players winning MetLife BWF World Superseries titles — the likes of Simon Santoso, Jorgensen, Chou Tien-chen, Srikanth and Son, apart from the big names who usually dominate. That suggests this edition of the Superseries Finals could be more open than in previous years.
There have been six previous editions, but only three players — Lee Chong Wei in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013, Lin Dan in 2011 and Chen in 2012 — have lifted the trophy.
The World Superseries Finals are to be staged in Dubai each December until 2017 as part of a four-year partnership, facilitated by Falcon and Associates, in partnership with the Dubai Sports Council with the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
Tickets are on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and prices start from Dh20. For more information go to www.destinationdubai.ae