Dubai BWF Finals: The eight women in contention

Here’s the list of qualified players for the badminton World Superseries Finals with brief biographies of the singles entrants in the women's event.

<b>Country: </b> Chinese Taipei <br> <b>Age: </b> 23 years <br> <b>World ranking: </b> 1 <br> <b>Win-Loss record in 2017: </b> 44-5 <br> The reigning All-England champion and defending champion won five titles this year. She remained the most consistent player of the season and beat every leading player. She will be the one to watch out for.

Photo: AFP

<b>Country: </b> Japan <br> <b>Age: </b> 20 years <br> <b>World ranking: </b> 2 <br> <b>Win-Loss record in 2017: </b> 50-14 <br> She won the China Open and finished runner-up in the French, Denmark and Australian Opens after winning the German Open Grand Prix. She beat Saina Nehwal in all four meetings this year and played as many as 64 matches this season. A tricky player, she begins as a strong contender.

<b>Country: </b> India <br> <b>Age: </b> 22 years <br> <b>World ranking: </b> 3 <br> <b>Win-Loss record in 2017: </b> 40-12. <br> This lanky girl reached the final of the World championship apart from winning the India Open and Korea Open during the year. She is growing in confidence with every passing season. The silver medallist in the Olympic and World championship will be among the contenders.

Photo: AFP

<b>Country: </b> Korea <br> <b>Age: </b> 26 years <br> <b>World ranking: </b> 5 <br> <b>Win-Loss record in 2017: </b> 37-18 <br> Known for her consistency over a period of time, this right-hander is back to do one better than last year when she lost the final. Though without a title this year, this hard working contender cannot be written off.

Photo: AFP

<b>Country: </b> Thailand <br> <b>Age: </b> 22 years <br> <b>World ranking:</b> 6 <br> <b>Win-Loss record in 2017: </b> 41-14 <br> The former World No.1, World and Asian champion showed signs of having completely recovered from a series of injuries. She won the Korea Open to go with two Grand Prix titles this year. Her unpredictability makes her a feared rival.

Photo: AFP

<b>Country: </b> China <br> <b>Age: </b>19 years <br> <b>World ranking: </b> 8 <br> <b>Win-Loss record in 2017: </b> 32-16 <br> Nozomi Okhuhara's withdrawal due to injury helped Chen Yufei find a place in the season-ending championships. A world junior champion, her transition to the senior circuit has been smooth. She reached the semifinal of the World Badminton Championships and has registered wins over four of the contenders in the Superseries tournaments this year. It wouldn't be surprising if the teen makes the most of this opportunity.

Photo: AFP

<b>Country: </b> China <br> <b>Age: </b> 20 years <br> <b>World ranking: </b> 9 <br> <b>Win-Loss record in 2017: </b> 23-14 <br> This new-generation Chinese challenger is seen as the next big player from her country. This left-hander has troubled Sindhu in the past. Last year in Dubai, she failed to get past the group stage after losing two matches and winning the third.

<b>Country: </b> Japan <br> <b>Age: </b> 26 <br> <b>World ranking: </b> 15 <br> <b>Win-Loss record in 2017: </b> 16-15 <br> Sayaka Sato benefited from the withdraw of Rio Olympic gold medallist and former World No. 1 Carolina Marin. But for the Indonesia Open where she was crowned the champion, the Japanese player has had a lacklustre run in the superseries tournaments. She will undoubtedly be considered the underdog in the premier championship.

1 / 0

<b>Country: </b> Chinese Taipei <br> <b>Age: </b> 23 years <br> <b>World ranking: </b> 1 <br> <b>Win-Loss record in 2017: </b> 44-5 <br> The reigning All-England champion and defending champion won five titles this year. She remained the most consistent player of the season and beat every leading player. She will be the one to watch out for.