Singapore Open 2013 faces new key withdrawals

The Li-Ning Singapore Open is about to kick off in the city-state but the organizers had to face another set of last minute withdrawals after a first setback when Lin Dan pulled out earlier this month. No fewer than 8 former Superseries winners have cancelled their participation: China’s Wang Xiaoli / Yu Yang in women’s doubles and Xu Chen and Ma Jin in mixed – both top seeds – along with 2010 champion Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Simon Santoso of Indonesia, Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon, Kim/Kim from Korea, in addition to All England champions Liu/Qiu and Lin Dan.  The last five also withdrew or retired from their last matches in Jakarta last week.  The three other absences are India’s P.V. Sindhu and Indonesians Rendra Wijaya / Rian Sukmawan and Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka.

Boonsak Ponsana, meanwhile, looks more confident than ever to keep his title as his two nemeses – Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan – are absent this week in Singapore, along with 3 of the top 4 Indonesians.

“I am ready to defend my title this year. The Li-Ning Singapore Open is special for me, and I have to come and play no matter what. I am more confident now as my performance has been good and my ranking has increased,” he told the local press at the eve of the event, which still features some great shuttlers and should provide fans with a good week of badminton.

All information here