Not since 2009, when Tine Baun won the Yonex Denmark Open has a European player reached the top of the podium at the Odense tournament. However, it might very well happen this year, where the Spanish Carolina Marin is one of the biggest favorites in an admittedly strong competition.
Carolina Marin, Spain
Carolina Marin has impressed the international badminton world. Many people wouldn’t have believed that Spain would have a world champion in women’s singles for two consecutive years, yet that is what has happened: Marin won the championships last year in Denmark and this year in Indonesia. After her spectacular performance in Ballerup 2014 the young Spanish woman has played several finals, winning, amongst others, the All England, Malaysia Open and Australia Open. She is one of the hottest names in badminton and is currently the only European player able to threaten the Asian women’s singles.
Saina Nehwal, India
Saina Nehwal has been a part of wresting dominance from the home side in the Chinese women’s singles. At this year’s World Championships in Jakarta she defeated Wang Yihan in the quarter final and also reached the final, being defeated by Carolina Marin. Nehwal is a huge star in her home country and she gave Indian fans something to be thrilled about when she won Indian Open earlier this year. She has shown several good results this year, including that of runner up at the All England. The Indian women’s single champion won Yonex Denmark open in 2012 and she could very well repeat it this year.
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