Match: Sameer Verma v Ng Ka Long
Date: 27 November, Sunday
Time: 3:30pm SGT/1pm IST/7:30am GMT
Competition: Hong Kong Open 2016
Venue: Hong Kong Coliseum, Kowloon
TV Channel: In Singapore, there is no live TV coverage of the match.
Live Streaming: BWF official YouTube channel, Hotstar
Overview
India's Sameer Verma will take on local hope Ng Ka Long in the Men's singles final of 2016 Hong Open Open in Kowloon on 27 November.
The 22-year-old Indian has reached his first Supeseries final after beating Jan O Jorgensen, who is ranked 40 places above Verma at number three. The senior national champion was in no mood to let go of a good opportunity in Kowloon as he tested the Dane with his intensity on the court.
It took only 46 minutes for Verma to outclass the China Open 2016 champion in straight games - 21-19, 24-22. He is making his bid to become the second only Men's singles player from India to take the title in Hong Kong after Prakash Padukone's title-winning campaign in 1982, which was also the inaugural edition of the tournament in Hong Kong.
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Reaching the final of Bitburger Open earlier this month has given the young Indian shuttler a lot of confidence and he has made best use of his form in the ongoing tournament. But Verma reveals he never thought he would beat Jorgensen.
"I did not think too much before the match. I tried to make him run around the court. I did not expect to do so well. I called my coach [Pullela Gopichand] yesterday and he told me to just keep calm," Verma said, as quoted by BWF's official website.
On the other hand, Hong Kong shuttler Ng defeated compatriot Hu Yu in straight games - 21-17, 21-7 - to become the first local player to reach the Men's singles final in 30 years. After having an inconsistent year in 2016, the 22-year-old hit form by reaching the semi-final of French Open.
While both the shuttlers will be playing their maiden Supeseries final, it will all boil down to which one of them is ready to handle nerves and get pas the final hurdle on the big day. Verma has a 2-1 head-to-head advantage over his opponent but the two have never met at the senior level.
It will be a bit difficult for Verma as well as the world number 14 will be rallied by fans at home, who have been coming in large numbers through the tournament to support the local stars. Mevertheless, a gripping contest awaits as both the shuttlers are on the verge of making history.
TV Schedule
India: Star Sports 4
