Could the unique setting of the BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals prove lucky for those who missed the major titles this year? 
The playing arena at Hamdan Sports Complex has been set up over an Olympic-standard swimming pool that hosted the Swimming World Cup in August. For non-aquatic events, the pool’s water is drained, steel scaffolding erected and galvanised steel sheets set up, which are then overlaid with foam and wood. Water is once again let in to prevent echo. The final appearance betrayed no sign of the pool, and players were impressed with the set-up.
“The feeling is no different from other halls. It’s a big venue, but I could not feel any drift today or yesterday, so very good conditions here,” said Michael Fuchs, the German who’s competing in Mixed Doubles with Birgit Michels.
While most of the attention is understandably on the stars, those for whom the dice didn’t roll will sense an opportunity to excel at the ‘neutral’ venue without home support for any particular player or pair. Fuchs, for instance, conceded that he and Michels were probably the “biggest underdogs”, but hoped they could pull off some surprises.
Grouped with World champions Zhang Nan/ Zhao Yunlei (China), Korea’s Ko Sung Hyun/ Kim Ha Na and England’s Chris and Gabrielle Adcock, the Germans will sniff an opportunity to finish among the top two in the group and make the semi-finals. Fuchs and Michels have even records with Ko/Kim (2-2) and the Adcocks (1-1), but have yet to beat Zhang/Zhao in six encounters.
“We came in at No.8, so we’re the underdogs. There’s always a chance, but on paper we’re the biggest underdogs in the tournament. There’s no pressure on us. This is our first time at the World Superseries Finals; it’s the first time Germany has qualified in Mixed Doubles.”
The German pair will play top seeds Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei in their opening encounter tomorrow.
“They’re the favourites to win the tournament. We’ve never beaten them before, but we’ll try our best and we’ll see what happens. We’ll just try to enjoy ourselves,” added Fuchs.
What adds to the significance of the event for the pair is that this could well be Michels’s last tournament as she is contemplating giving up the sport to pursue her education.
In September, Michels enrolled for a three-year education programme to become a kindergarten teacher.
“I don’t know what I will do next year. I will think about it at Christmas time – whether to stop or to continue,” Michels said.
“That’s my big problem I think, because we had a really good year. If we keep this level going we have good chances for Rio (Olympics). That’s why I’m not sure whether to keep playing or to stop. But it’s for sure too much work to go to school, and practice. I work 20 hours a week and have 16 hours’ school… I’m studying to become a kindergarten teacher. I started in September; it’s for three years. I will need to see how to handle both. I didn’t practice that much for this tournament, just two-three times a week, which is not enough for a high level.
“I’m 30 now; I have to look into the future too. I need an alternate career. I want to work in kindergarten, that’s my favourite job. That’s why I started this year. It’s very difficult to decide.”
Another pair which had strong results this year, but who are likely to be outside the spotlight, is Chinese Taipei’s Lee Sheng Mu/Tsai Chia Hsin. The Men’s Doubles finalists in Australia and Singapore, Lee/Tsai face three-time champions Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen of Denmark tomorrow.
The opening matches feature Denmark’s Jan O Jorgensen against Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto in Men’s Singles, and the all-Korea Women’s Singles clash between Sung Ji Hyun and Bae Yeon Ju. Sugiarto, finalist in 2013, has had a quiet year with the highlights being a bronze medal at the BWF World Championships and a runner-up spot at the Malaysia Open.
Japan’s Kento Momota had a sensational Thomas Cup, winning all five of his matches to help his nation claim their first title. However, since then his best show was a semi-final place at the French Open. The Japanese youngster runs into the red-hot Kidambi Srikanth of India in his first match. Srikanth, winner of the China Open, is one of those expected to do well in Dubai, and Momota, who leads their head-to-head 2-1, will aim to regain his momentum by surprising the Indian.
In Women’s Doubles, Asian Games champions Greysia Polii/Nitya Krishinda Maheswari (Indonesia) take on Japan’s Reika Kakiiwa/Miyuki Maeda, while Women’s Singles will see Ratchanok Intanon (Thailand) face Tai Tzu Ying (Chinese Taipei).
For schedule of the day’s matches, visit: www.destinationdubai.ae.
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