Dubai: Last year’s runner-up and current world No. 5, Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia, qualified for this week’s BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals thanks to some impressive results, including a second-placed finish in the 2014 Maybank Malaysia Open.
Looking forward to competing at the Hamdan Sports Complex here from December 17 to 21, Sugiarto said: “The Superseries Finals are very important, since this is one of the most prestigious BWF tournaments and only a select few players can compete there. I’ll prepare myself and try hard to win.
“We’re looking forward to having the Indonesian expatriates there cheer for us as badminton is one of the favourite sports for us. And I’m also very excited to play in Dubai, as this is the first time a badminton tournament is being held in the Middle East.”
Apart from 2014 world championship bronze-medallist and former junior world champion Sugiarto, the men’s singles draw will also include the likes of Chen Long (China), Jan O. Jorgensen (Denmark), Son Wan-ho (Korea), Kidambi Srikanth (India), Kento Momota (Japan), Hans-Kristian Vittinghus (Denmark) and Kenichi Tago (Japan).
While he hasn’t won a Superseries event in 2014, Sugiarto has impressed with his form, which took him as high as third in the overall rankings in October.
On the road to the final in Malaysia in January, Sugiarto overcame two of the contenders he will meet this week in Srikanth and Tago. In other Superseries events in Australia and France, he reached the semi-finals.
Despite his lack of silverware in 2014, Sugiarto rates his chances highly in the finals. The 26-year-old said: “I’m happy with this year’s Superseries results, especially in the men’s singles category, which is a bit different from last year. In 2014, we have seen less domination by certain players. I hope the same will happen in Dubai and, of course, I hope we have a new winner from Indonesia!”
There have been six editions of the Superseries Finals staged so far, but only three players (Lee Chong Wei in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013, Lin Dan in 2011 and Chen in 2012) have ever lifted the trophy.
Explaining what makes this the toughest tournament to win, Sugiarto said: “It’s because only the best in each category can take part of this tournament. I’m aware that those who have qualified for the World Superseries Finals are world-class players, so it’s a tough battle for everyone here.”
At the last edition of the Superseries Finals, at Kuala Lumpur in 2013, Sugiarto reached the finals but found Lee too tough a nut to crack in the title round. With Lee suspended and out of the mix, Sugiarto is eager to go one better and claim the cherished prize this time around.
For more information about the events, log on to www.destinationdubai.ae
