Sizzling Starters on Opening Day Menu
Two bright young stars will clash in the opening round of the YONEX All England on Wednesday, offering perhaps a preview of a potentially great rivalry that is likely to unfold over the next decade.
· DEV SUKUMAR
Two bright young stars will clash in the opening round of the YONEX All England on Wednesday, offering perhaps a preview of a potentially great rivalry that is likely to unfold over the next decade.
Defending champion Chen Yu Fei, 22, who had her breakthrough season last year, and An Se Young, 18, are expected to be the dominant faces of the post-Tokyo Olympics era. The two have faced off thrice, and while Chen won all three, the gap has noticeably reduced. Their last meeting, in the second round of the Victor China Open, went 71 minutes, with Chen winning in three games.
The previous season was Chen’s. In fact, it was at the All England that she served notice of what was to come, for she finally broke free of two-time champion Tai Tzu Ying in the final, beating her for the first time in 12 matches. The Chinese did not let up, winning two of their next three clashes – and ending the year with the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals crown. It was a fitting conclusion to a brilliant season that saw her win seven titles from seven finals.