SPORTS> Tennis
Swedes fancy their chances at World Cup
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-11-21 10:15

Ryder Cup players Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson will renew their partnership when they tee up at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup from Nov 27-30.

The Swedish duo, who combined to good effect in the Saturday fourballs at Valhalla, are amongst the favorites for the $5.5million showpiece, which will again be held at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen.

The tournament gives Karlsson the opportunity to round off a magnificent year in style, having claimed two European Tour titles en route to lifting the Harry Vardon Trophy as European No 1.

Six-time European Tour champion Stenson also comes in to the event in fine form after a fifth-place finish at the HSBC Champions, which earned the Swede 166,245 Euro ($208,300) in prize money. The pair are firm friends as well as compatriots, and will pose a formidable threat to the 27 other competing teams.

"I'm excited about playing with Henrik again. We've only had the one chance so far, in the Ryder Cup, so I'm looking forward to it. He's a great player, and I think we'll make a good pairing," said Karlsson.

"It's always nice to represent your country, and the World Cup at Mission Hills is definitely something I've been looking forward to. It's a fun tournament with foursomes and fourballs, because you never know what will happen next. You have to shoot low, so that's what we'll be aiming to do," he added.

Karlsson will be making his third World Cup appearance, as will Stenson, who boasts an impressive World Cup record having partnered Niclas Fasth to a second place-finish behind Wales in 2005 and then teamed up with Carl Pettersson to take third place behind Germany in 2006.

"I always enjoy the World Cup - it's great fun representing your country. I've been close to winning it twice, finishing second in 2005 and then third in Barbados two years ago. So it would be good to come home with a gold medal this time, said Stenson.

"I might have to carry Robert round in China though, because he seems to be struggling big time with his form recently! Seriously though, he's a great player with loads of experience, and he really seems to be enjoying his golf at the moment.

"So it's going to be really good fun - I just hope I get my game in good shape and support him a little bit. We had a good partnership going at The Ryder Cup this year, so hopefully we can keep it up," he added.

China Daily