China Masters: Vitidsarn Faces Kidambi Test
There will be much curiosity around the form of Kunlavut Vitidsarn as the world champion begins his campaign at the LI-NING China Masters 2023 against Kidambi Srikanth.
· BWF STAFF
Vitidsarn hit the high notes at the TotalEnergies BWF World Championships 2023 in Copenhagen in August, but since then, has won only four matches in four events, while being unable to complete two matches due to a back injury. The Thai has already sealed his place at the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2023 by virtue of being world champion, and has no pressure riding on his performance at the China Masters, which should give a good indication of his fitness and form.
The Thai has strong competition in his half, including the likes of Lee Zii Jia and Ng Tze Yong – who face off in the first round; Kenta Nishimoto, Asian Games champion Li Shi Feng and second seed Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.
The big names missing at the top of the draw are Viktor Axelsen, who won the Kumamoto Masters Japan 2023 on Sunday, and French Open champion Jonatan Christie. The prominent first round matches of the top half will be Shi Yu Qi against Lakshya Sen, Anders Antonsen against Weng Hong Yang and HS Prannoy against Chou Tien Chen.