Singapore Open hit by late pullouts
Source: AFP |
June 19, 2013, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A LARGE-SCALE withdrawal on the eve of competition has robbed the Singapore Open of several seeded players after superstars Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei also chose to skip the event.
Eleven players pulled out on Monday, citing fatigue and injury, though many may be keen to avoid exerting themselves in what is the last Super Series event before the world championships in August.
Players who withdraw late from tournaments receive a small fine from the Badminton World Federation, according to reports. Singapore experienced similar problems last year in the run-up to the London Olympics.
With China's Olympic champion Lin and world No. 1 Lee of Malaysia opting out, and former Olympic gold medalist Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia retiring from the sport at last week's Indonesian Open, star power will be in short supply at the US$200,000 tournament.
Men's third seed Sony Dwi Kuncoro was among the late pullouts, as well as women's doubles top seeds Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang of China. The last-minute withdrawals also include China's mixed doubles top seeds Xu Chen and Ma Jin, and women's singles fifth seed Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand.
"Some players may need a break after playing other tournaments back to back," said India's Saina Nehwal, the women's second seed. "And with the world championships in Guangzhou just a month-and-a-half away, you have to prepare well."
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