Stadium Astro looks at the three names who could knock defending champion Viktor Axelsen off his perch at the upcoming Malaysia Open (Jan 9-14), as the Dane approaches the new season having flourished in 2023.
The lanky Dane is still the man to beat in what is perceived to be a highly competitive men’s singles affair on paper with a complete package that includes strength, speed, skill, agility, discipline and humility.
The reigning Olympic champion was barely troubled in last year’s Malaysia Open, but this time it could be a different story with others looking to start the year with a bang in an important Olympic year in Paris.
Here are three men's singles contenders that could dish out the first major upset for the 2024 World Tour season.
Loh Kean Yew
Axelsen’s first match doesn’t get any trickier than having to face the Malaysian-born Loh.
The Dane has won his last three meetings against the Singaporean, but Loh will not look at past records at the Axiata Arena where he receives a lot of love from the local fans.
Loh’s biggest asset is his unbelievable speed and reflex, and when he uses these well, any shuttler on the other side of the court is usually in trouble.
If the world number 10 can start off strongly to pressure Axelsen, he stands a chance of winning.
Lee Zii Jia
In order for Lee to book a meeting against Axelsen, he will first have to overcome Lu Guang Zu, then most likely Anthony Ginting and after that Shi Yu Qi.
So it will be a tough road to the semi-finals to say the least.
But Lee has had the privilege of an extended break for more than a month, so the hope is that he will be fresh to conquer his opponents on home soil where he has yet to shine.
The world number 11 has won three times in eight meetings against the world number one, with his last full match victory coming at the 2021 All-England final.
At their most recent clash at last year’s Sudirman Cup, Axelsen retired through an injury.
Should this match-up happen, the odds will be tipped in Lee’s favour if he has beaten the likes of Ginting and Shi to get to the semi-finals.
Li Shi Feng
The bottom half of the draw is packed with quality names from Li, Anders Antonsen, Kodai Naraoka, Ng Tze Yong, Kunlavut Vitidsarn and H.S.Prannoy.
While Ng and Prannoy have beaten Axelsen in big tournaments last year, Li will pose a different threat to the Dane should they meet in the final.
The Chinese ace has had a successful 2023 season where he won the All-England and two Asian Games gold medals in the individual and team event, besides several runner-up finishes on the World Tour.
The world number three is also the only shuttler in the top 10 whom Axelsen has incredibly, not faced, on the World Tour yet.
So Li could turn out an interesting opponent who will be out to showcase his top qualities that includes a great offense and fantastic net game to upset Axelsen.
The lanky Dane is still the man to beat in what is perceived to be a highly competitive men’s singles affair on paper with a complete package that includes strength, speed, skill, agility, discipline and humility.
The reigning Olympic champion was barely troubled in last year’s Malaysia Open, but this time it could be a different story with others looking to start the year with a bang in an important Olympic year in Paris.
Here are three men's singles contenders that could dish out the first major upset for the 2024 World Tour season.
Loh Kean Yew
Axelsen’s first match doesn’t get any trickier than having to face the Malaysian-born Loh.
The Dane has won his last three meetings against the Singaporean, but Loh will not look at past records at the Axiata Arena where he receives a lot of love from the local fans.
Loh’s biggest asset is his unbelievable speed and reflex, and when he uses these well, any shuttler on the other side of the court is usually in trouble.
If the world number 10 can start off strongly to pressure Axelsen, he stands a chance of winning.
Lee Zii Jia
In order for Lee to book a meeting against Axelsen, he will first have to overcome Lu Guang Zu, then most likely Anthony Ginting and after that Shi Yu Qi.
So it will be a tough road to the semi-finals to say the least.
But Lee has had the privilege of an extended break for more than a month, so the hope is that he will be fresh to conquer his opponents on home soil where he has yet to shine.
The world number 11 has won three times in eight meetings against the world number one, with his last full match victory coming at the 2021 All-England final.
At their most recent clash at last year’s Sudirman Cup, Axelsen retired through an injury.
Should this match-up happen, the odds will be tipped in Lee’s favour if he has beaten the likes of Ginting and Shi to get to the semi-finals.
Li Shi Feng
The bottom half of the draw is packed with quality names from Li, Anders Antonsen, Kodai Naraoka, Ng Tze Yong, Kunlavut Vitidsarn and H.S.Prannoy.
While Ng and Prannoy have beaten Axelsen in big tournaments last year, Li will pose a different threat to the Dane should they meet in the final.
The Chinese ace has had a successful 2023 season where he won the All-England and two Asian Games gold medals in the individual and team event, besides several runner-up finishes on the World Tour.
The world number three is also the only shuttler in the top 10 whom Axelsen has incredibly, not faced, on the World Tour yet.
So Li could turn out an interesting opponent who will be out to showcase his top qualities that includes a great offense and fantastic net game to upset Axelsen.
