Hong Kong’s Hu Yun gets final spot in Dubai world superseries finals thanks to Chen Long’s absence
The 35-year-old enters the US$1 million year-end tournament through the back door after Chinese Olympic champion turns down a wild card invitation
Hong Kong veteran shuttler Hu Yun has entered the lavish world superseries finals in Dubai next week through the back door after China’s Olympic champion Chen Long turned down a wild card.
Hu had originally missed a place in the year-end tournament but was given the final spot in men’s singles when the Chinese star turned down an invitation to appear in Dubai.
Chen’s withdrawal has opened the way for Hu to secure his fourth superseries finals appearance and allows the 35-year-old the opportunity to improve his fourth-place finish at the 2012 finals.
Chen is ranked outside the world superseries’ top 10 despite his success in the Rio Games this summer but Dubai organisers wanted a marquee name for the December 14-18 event.
Only the top eight players or pairs in the superseries rankings after 12 rounds are eligible for the US$1 million tournament.