The XXV edition of the Spanish Open (International Challange, 15.000 US Dollars) will commence on Thursday. The “Marqués de Samaranch” Sports Center will host the event from 17th to 20th May. In this year’s edition, 34 countries of 5 continents will take part.

The main hopes of the Spanish spectators are lean on their two best players: Carolina Marin and Pablo Abián (pictured).

International top player as Salakjit Ponsana of Thailand or Kristina Gavnholt of the Czech Republic, which are among the top 70 in the world, will try to prevent Carolina Marin’s title ambitions. The young Spanish hope wants to repeat her success from last year, when she claimed the women’s singles victory by beating German player Olga Konon in the finals.

In the men’s singles, Spanish number one Pablo Abián will try to go one better as last year when he lost the final against Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in a very tough match. To secure his first ever home title, the Spaniard has to face players like Kevin Cordon, current world number 30, and Frenchman Brice Leverdez who is number 37 in the world rankings.

The high competition level is maintained in the doubles events with the presence of European top players belonging to the top 50 of the world rankings

The tournament is arranged by the Spanish Badminton Federation and is sponsored by the City Council of Madrid.

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Photo by BadmintonPhoto