Viktor Axelsen and AN Se Younger have reigned supreme over the previous yr. Nonetheless their rivals are descending on Copenhagen decided to problem their auras of invincibility.
Seize your popcorn and prepare for the joy overload that the World Championships will ship. I’m wanting ahead to some well-known victories, fierce contests and heart-stopping surprises.
Males’s Singles
Nobody turns into the World or Olympic Champion by probability and Viktor’s latest observe document is a testomony to his dedication and ruthless successful mindset. Who has what it takes to compete in opposition to him? The chasing pack supply so many intriguing prospects.
The highest half of the draw throws up some probably difficult opponents. India’s HS Prannoy is lined up for a R16 conflict with LOH Kean Yew, with the following QF more likely to be in opposition to Viktor. Prannoy is having fun with a superb run of type and is aware of that he’s able to inflicting an enormous upset. Kunlavut Vitidsarn is seeded 3 and beat Axelsen in 3 units on the India Open remaining in January so he’s additionally a reputable risk, though he should negotiate a well past a resurgent Lakshya SEN and possibly the present All England Champion LI Shifeng as effectively.
The underside half of the draw is fascinating. The 2 standout unseeded gamers listed below are NG Tze Yong and LEE Zii Jia. LZJ is rebuilding his confidence with a brand new coach after a tricky yr; NTY is the epitome of dogged undemonstrative dedication. Each might be world beaters when they’re on the high of their recreation, however each can not get to the QF. Realistically it’s potential that each will endure an early exit – the curse of the unseeded competitor – as Zii Jia’s first match is in opposition to Jonatan Christie while Tze Yong might encounter Anders Antonsen in his second.
Kodai Naraoka is seeded 4 while SHI Yuqi is 8 and the prospect of a QF between them is fascinating. Naraoka’s infinite stamina permits him to relentlessly pursue each level whereas SYQ is extra enigmatic. Endurance expertise are more likely to be key right here, particularly if the corridor is gradual.
Ladies’s Singles
Who has the internal energy to go head-to-head with AN Se Younger and are available out on high? The most probably gamers are the opposite members of the Fab 4. Akane Yamaguchi is the defending champion and aiming to win it for the third time in a row. Stories from Japan have revealed that she injured her proper foot a couple of weeks in the past. Her type hinges on distinctive court docket protection so it’s essential that she has made a full restoration.
That is in all probability TAI Tzu Ying‘s final probability to win Gold on the World Championships. Her victory in two units over ASY on the Asian Championships not too long ago is assumed upsetting given Se Younger’s subpar efficiency. It’s onerous to find out if she was worn down by her path to the ultimate or was hampered by an damage niggle. Usually talking she will be able to neutralize TTY by offsetting her spontaneous creativity with relentless retrieval.
CHEN YuFei is seeded 3 within the high half of the draw which units up the potential of a SF in opposition to ASY. She has all of the persistence and all of the photographs wanted to counter the Korean. She is the most probably to discover a approach by means of, particularly as she has the talent to ramp up her scoring at pivotal components of the match to capitalize on a rival’s mid-game droop. Her weak spot might be warning however I’m wondering if AN Se Younger has the inclination to take advantage of that.
Exterior of those high 4 seeds might anybody else get on the rostrum. PV Sindhu at all times unleashes her ‘A’ recreation on the massive occasions and if she is match, she could characteristic within the medals. The draw has not been form to her: if she overcomes ASY then she would unlock a SF showdown in opposition to CYF. Gregoria Mariska Tunjung is beginning to notice the potential that marked her junior years. Her artistic aptitude has at all times been beautiful however now it’s seasoned with extra psychological resilience which is making her a harder rival. She could possibly be fairly a menace to Akane’s ambitions in the event that they meet on the QF stage.
Predictions?
Greater than a billion folks shall be watching to see who can outshine the 2 high seeds. Contemplating that Viktor’s house benefit ought to give him an additional incentive to win, it’s possible he already has one foot on the rostrum. The Ladies’s Singles appears a little bit extra open. AN Se Younger’s future is golden, however she shall be stretched from the second she steps on court docket.
Some spectacular clashes are on the horizon, so get able to relish the battles forward.
If you happen to loved this, then check out my latest article about AN Se Younger https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/03/03/an-se-young/ or this one about TAI Tzu Ying and Ratchanok Intanon https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/04/09/tai-tzu-ying-ratchanok-intanon-maytai/
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