Sabasports Match Preview
Arctic Open: Kunlavut Vitidsarn VS Chou Tien Chen
Kickoff Time: 2025-10-07 to 2025-10-12 (HKT)
Source: REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
The 2025 Arctic Badminton Open will officially commence from October 7 to 12 in Vantaa, Finland, with a total prize pool of $475,000. The tournament was established in 1990 in Vantaa, Finland, and was initially named the Finland International Badminton Championships. In 2013, it was renamed the Finland Badminton Open. Prior to 2023, it was part of the BWF International Challenge and a stop on the Badminton Europe Circuit. In 2023, the BWF upgraded the event to a Super 500 tournament. As the northernmost tournament in terms of latitude and longitude, it was renamed the “Arctic Badminton Open” and serves as the first stop of the European season each year.
In men’s singles, with the withdrawals of Shi Yuqi, Viktor Axelsen, Li Shifeng, PRANNOY H. S., and others, the top seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn has become the favorite to win the title. In the first round, Kunlavut will face Indian player Ayush Shetty. It is worth mentioning that Ayush previously won the U.S. Open in June, demonstrating that his skills should not be underestimated. However, as the current world No. 3 seed, Kunlavut undoubtedly holds the advantage over Ayush. Kunlavut is often described in one word – steady, with a composure that exceeds his age. His refined skills in long rallies, rational footwork, precise control of shots to all four corners, and exceptional physical stamina make him a nightmare for all opponents. Additionally, Kunlavut possesses the ability to accelerate and attack during long rallies, with clear and varied shot selections, showcasing his comprehensive skills. Even when facing match points against him, Kunlavut maintains high-quality returns, reflecting his strong mental fortitude.
On the other hand, the second seed, Taiwanese veteran Chou Tien Chen, will anchor the bottom half of the draw and will face a qualifier in the first round. At 35 years old, Chou Tien Chen continues to deliver outstanding performances in various tournaments this season. Previously, he became the second-oldest semifinalist in Super 1000 history at 35 years and 149 days, only behind Lee Chong Wei’s record of 35 years and 258 days. Recently, Chou Tien Chen has abandoned traditional rallying tactics and adopted an ultra-aggressive style, aiming to conclude points within three shots. His net play and backcourt shot consistency have improved with age and experience, and his footwork remains agile and seamlessly connected. Moreover, Chou Tien Chen possesses formidable power and a strong smash, often delivering decisive blows in rallies.
It is also worth noting that the fourth seed, young Chinese player Weng Hong Yang, is in the same half of the draw and may pose the biggest challenge to Chou Tien Chen’s advancement. In the previous China Masters, Weng Hong Yang emerged as a dark horse, battling through the rounds and ultimately claiming the title. Youth is Weng Hong Yang’s greatest asset, as the saying goes, “Youth prevails in combat.”
The spotlight of this Arctic Open is undoubtedly on Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Chou Tien Chen, who have faced each other in several intense matches this season. In the men’s singles quarterfinals of the China Open, the top seed Kunlavut suffered a surprising defeat. At the time, Kunlavut, who had just ascended to world No. 1, was thwarted for the second consecutive time by the Taiwanese veteran Chou Tien Chen in his 476th international match. Earlier, in the semifinals of the Indonesia Open, Chou Tien Chen also eliminated Kunlavut in straight games. Now, as they meet again at the Arctic Open, their matchup becomes a key highlight of the tournament. Will Kunlavut redeem himself, or will Chou Tien Chen once again showcase his brilliance? Let us look forward to their thrilling encounter!