Singles Preview: Axelsen, Tai Are Favourites
YONEX All England champions Viktor Axelsen and Tai Tzu Ying appear favourites in singles as the much-anticipated Asian Leg begins on Tuesday 12 January in Bangkok with the YONEX Thailand Open.
· DEV SUKUMAR
However, this is a time unlike any other. Players have been out of international competition for months, and virtually all of them are on new territory in a sense.
Perhaps the biggest unknown factor, coming in to the YONEX Thailand Open, is how the lack of competition over many months will affect the ‘match feeling’ of players. While most players have trained over a substantial period – either individually or in national camps – they acknowledge that the training atmosphere is far removed from that of actual competition. The outcome might be early round jitters or struggle with controlling the shuttle, presenting sufficient opportunities to their challengers.
Axelsen’s last event, for instance, was the YONEX All England that he won, in March 2020 – nine months ago. He had to skip his home event, the DANISA Denmark Open, with injury; but such is the Dane’s stature that it will be something of a surprise should he not make at least the semifinals. With Kento Momota having withdrawn due to COVID-19, Axelsen assumes the mantle of being the player to beat at the YONEX Thailand Open.