The 6th edition of the Hatzor International takes place this coming week in Kibutz Hatzor Israel where 45 players from 9 countries will gather in the search for entry level circuit success. The future series rated tournament is an opportunity for home and emerging players to taste international competition and Israel will look to Daniel Chislov to top the podium in the men’s singles event.
The highly regarded Chislov (pictures above during the European club championships during the summer) certainly has the talent to come out on top this week. But as with all home players on home soil the weight of expectation will hang heavy on his shoulders as he bids to land his home title.
Pole Pawel Pradzinski will look to upset the odds on Chislov’s side of the draw while Lukas Zevl (CZE) will look to progress through the bottom half.
Zuzana Pavelkova (CZE pictured above) is top seed for the women’s singles and in truth should have enough in her locker to beat the entire field this week. In the men’s doubles Israel, will once again have serious designs on winning with top seeds Alexander Bass and the experienced Shai Geffen. Polish pair Pradzinski and Rudzinski will also have their eyes on success but an early second round match against Chislov and Mihaylov will keep both pairs honest.
Russian pair Vasilkin and Virvich top the seeding in mixed doubles but an early second round match against home pair Geffen & Pugach will severely test the form of the Russians. Alexander Bass and Dana Kugel will also be worth watching unseeded in the bottom half of the draw. With no real pressure on their shoulders the Israeli pair might be the ones to create a shock this week.
The tournament in Kibutz Hator is a three-day event kicking off on Thursday with finals on Saturday for all draws for the 2016 Hatzor International click
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Article and archive images by Mark Phelan for Badminton Europe