Indian star shuttler Saina Nehwal has been drawn alongside world number 1 Carolina Marin of Spain in Group A of the women's singles in the year-ending $1-million BWF World Super Series Finals, scheduled to take place at Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai from 9 to 13 December.
The other Indian in the competition, Kidambi Srikanth, is grouped with Japan's Kento Momota, Denmark's Viktor Axelsen and Chinese Taipei's Chou Tien Chen in the men's singles.
The draws as well as the schedule is out for the prestigious tournament and while Saina, the current world number 2, will be starting her campaign against Japan's Nozumi Okohara, Srikanth will be facing a stiff challenge as he goes against Momota in his first match. Both the Indians will feature on Day 1 of the competition — 9 December.
On the second day — 10 December — Saina takes on the the 22-year-old Spanish star Marin, while Srikanth takes on Axelmen. China's Chen Long is the defending men's singles champion, whereas Chinese Taipei's Tai Tzu Ying remains the defending champion in the women's singles category.
Two players will qualify for the semifinals of the tournament from the four-member group in each category.
The full list of draws:
Women's Singles:
Group A
Carolina Marin
Nozomi Okuhara
Saina Nehwal
Tai Tzu Ying
Group B
Wang Shixian
Wang Yihan
Ratchanok Intanon
Sung Ji Hyun
Men's Singles:
Group A
Chen Long
Jan Jorgensen
Hu Yun
Tian Houwei
Group B
Kento Momota
Viktor Axelsen
Chou Tien Chen
Kidambi Srikanth
