Peter Gade, world ranking: 2, Denmark:
The Danish Champion is coming back again this year to the Copenhagen Masters as the favorite to the title he has won over and over. But Peter Gade must have vengeance, because last year the title was stolen from him when he lost to Dicky Palyama. But the loss do not change the fact that he is Mr. Masters and with his nine wins Peter Gade is the most winning player in this tournament.
Peter Gade has impressed this year and has not been eliminated before a semi final. Latest this fall when he made it to the semis in France and Japan along with his great performance at the World’s where he became a bronze medalist. But Gade also got his way to the top by winning the Euro's back in April.
Gade is the top seeded at Copenhagen Masters(BadmintonPhoto)
Boonsak Ponsana, world ranking: 5, Thailand:
The world’s fifth best men’ single is coming the Copenhagen. Thai Boonsak Ponsana has during the past year proved he can beat everyone and he has been very stable in 2010 which means he has climbed the ranking. Just a year ago he was outside the Top 10, so this year has been a minor breakthrough for Ponsana. The most impressive results are from the start of the year, when he played his way in to two Super Series finals. In Malaysia and Singapore he was able to beat Peter Gade both times and he must be a huge threat to the Dane’s title. And recently the Thai has proved he can beat everyone as he defeated Lee Chong Wei in the Asian Games.
Boonsak is ready to steal the title from Gade(BadmintonPhoto)
Dicky Palyama, world ranking: 20, Netherlands:
Last year’s runner up Dicky Palyama is ready for another visit in Copenhagen. He surprised last year with a high level game and managed to beat the big favorite Peter Gade. Despite that Dicky was not able to end the job and lost the final, but with his second place as a reminder there is no doubt he will show the audience his best game and must feel confident playing again in Falkoner.
2010 has been positive for Dicky getting in to the quarter’s in the Singapore Super Series where he got his revenge by beating Jan Ø. Jørgensen.
Dicky came in second in last year's tournament(BadmintonPhoto)
| | Wong Choong Hann, world ranking: 24, Malaysia:
An old well known player is checking in for this year’s Copenhagen Masters. Wong Choong Hann’s visit is fantastic for the tournament, and the lefty has given so many experiences to this tournament. And he is the only one who was able to stop Peter Gade during the period of 1999-2008, when the Malaysian won the title back in 2003 – the very same year he came in second in the World Championships in Birmingham. But do not think he got dust on his rackets, because he is still capable of great performances. He reached the final in the Malaysia Grand Prix Gold, where he beat Taufik Hidayat and was close to do the same thing to Lee Chong Wei.
The former winner - Wong Choong Hann - will for sure challenge Gade and co.(BadmintonPhoto)
Hans-Kristian Vittinghus, world ranking 35, Denmark:
The young Dane has entered the competition in the last minute after Jan O Jorgensen’s injury. But Vittinghus is really a show man and will definitely entertain the audience, but you can be positive that ‘HK’ is not just here for the experience and the show. He is on fire at the moment, by winning 18 matches in a row including two tournament victories in Ireland and Norway.
HK after his last win in Irish International(BadmintonPhoto)
Daren Liew, world ranking: 83, Malaysia:
Don’t judge this young player by his world ranking. Daren Liew is the hope in Malaysia, and in his few tournaments there have been some signs which indicate that the prophecy is correct. Even though he just entered the big stage, he has already played his first semi final. Unfortunately he lost but being among the last four in Indonesia Grand Prix Gold is truly a good performance. Daren Liew impressed as well when he visited Denmark for the first time. He won his qualification in Denmark Super Series by beating Wang Zhengming – one of the greatest Chinese talents – and he continued his strike and defeated Dicky Palyama in the opening round. So you can expect a lot from the young Malaysian.
Daren Liew shows great potential and is the Malaysian hope(BadmintonPhoto)
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