Praneeth Makes Big Leap – Destination Dubai Rankings: Men’s Singles

Praneeth Makes Big Leap – Destination Dubai Rankings: Men’s Singles

Sai Praneeth’s first World Superseries title helped him jump 18 places into 10th spot on the latest Destination Dubai Rankings.

The Indian (featured image), who played his first Superseries final in Singapore, showed great composure against compatriot Kidambi Srikanth to claim the crown and net 9,200 points.

Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen occupies top spot with 22,040 points thanks in large part to his runner-up finish at the Yonex-Sunrise India Open and his semi-final performance earlier at the Yonex All England.

Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, who has had a roller-coaster year so far – having won in India but falling in the second round in Malaysia and the first round in Singapore – is just 250 points behind, at No.2.

Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei (No.3) started the year brilliantly, winning the Yonex All England, and gave himself a shot at an incredible 12th Malaysia Open title. However, the home hero couldn’t make it as memorable as he’d have wanted as he was outplayed by Lin Dan in the final.

The five-time World champion appeared to have reclaimed the form of his glory days as he shut out Lee in straight games. Having earlier made the semi-finals of the All England, Lin stayed in fourth spot on the Destination Dubai Rankings.

Ng Ka Long fell in the second round of three Superseries; his best was a semi-final at the India Open. The Hongkonger is just 40 points short of Lin Dan at No.5.

Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk showed no whiff of the form that had taken him to the Yonex Denmark Open title last year. The Thai (No.6) had an inconsistent season, with quarter-final finishes at the All England and the Singapore Open being his most memorable performances.

Like his compatriot Ng Ka Long, Wong Wing Ki can savour a semi-final finish – which he achieved at the Malaysia Open. The Hongkonger had started badly, falling in the first round of the first two Superseries, but recovered with a semi-final in Malaysia and a quarter-final performance in Singapore to reach seventh spot in the Destination Dubai Rankings.

China have a third Men’s Singles player in the top ten – Shi Yuqi. Although he started the season memorably – he made the All England final beating senior compatriot Lin Dan – he couldn’t capitalise on the momentum and fell in the first round in Malaysia. A quarter-final at the Singapore Open ensured that he climbed up by five places.

Korea’s Son Wan Ho was a first round casualty in the first two Superseries but he recovered somewhat with a semi-final finish in Malaysia. A second-round exit in Singapore meant he fell two spots to No.9.

The top eight players in the Destination Dubai Rankings will be invited to the Dubai World Superseries Finals at Hamdan Sports Complex in December.

Top Ten (Men’s Singles)

1.Chou Tien Chen (Chinese Taipei)

2.Viktor Axelsen (Denmark)

3.Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia)

4.Lin Dan (China)

5.Ng Ka Long (Hong Kong)

6.Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk (Thailand)

7.Wong Wing Ki (Hong Kong)

8.Shi Yuqi (China)

9.Son Wan Ho (Korea)

10.Sai Praneeth (India)

Click here for Destination Dubai Rankings

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