Sabasports Match Preview
VICTOR China Open 2024
2024-09-17 to 2024-09-22
Source: REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
The VICTOR China Open 2024 (Super 1000) will take place from September 17 to 22. As the first BWF Super 1000 event following the Paris Olympics, and the only Super 1000 event in the second half of 2024, the total prize money is a staggering $2 million. This event has attracted 277 players from 23 countries and regions to participate.
In the men’s category, the top seed and current world number one Shi Yuqi, two-time Olympic gold medalist and defending champion Viktor Axelsen, Malaysia’s top player Lee Zii Jia, and the 2018 event champion Anthony Sinisuka Ginting from Indonesia are all part of the lineup. All of the top 20 ranked men’s singles players have registered for the competition.
It is worth mentioning that Shi Yuqi has been plagued by injuries and withdrew from the previous Hong Kong Open. After being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Olympics, he participated in two tournaments: the Japan Open, where he reached the semifinals, and the Korea Open, where he was eliminated in the quarterfinals. His overall condition has not been ideal. In this tournament, Shi Yuqi appears in the upper half of the draw as the top seed. Given that the only other seeded player in the quarterfinals is Kunlavut Vitidsarn, there is a good chance for Shi Yuqi to advance to the semifinals. As for his potential opponent in the semifinals, he is likely to face Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia.
In the lower half of the draw, the second seed and current world number two Viktor Axelsen is undoubtedly Shi Yuqi’s biggest threat. As the men’s singles gold medalist at the Paris Olympics, Axelsen has achieved a remarkable double Grand Slam. In the previous Hong Kong Open, he also stormed into the finals with an unstoppable momentum. From the draw in the lower half, it should not be difficult for Axelsen to reach the semifinals. His likely opponent in the semifinals will be either China’s Li Shifeng or his compatriot Anders Antonsen. However, both Li Shifeng and Antonsen have not shown outstanding strength or recent performance, so they are unlikely to pose a threat to Axelsen.
Considering the overall strength and condition of players in both halves of the draw, Shi Yuqi and Viktor Axelsen are undoubtedly the favorites to win this tournament. Shi Yuqi and Viktor Axelsen have faced each other 12 times so far, with a record of three wins and nine losses in favor of Axelsen. Their most recent encounter was in the semifinals of the Malaysia Badminton Open earlier this year, where Shi Yuqi defeated Axelsen 2-1 with scores of 21-12, 19-21, and 21-17. However, Shi Yuqi has recently been troubled by injuries, and it remains to be seen whether he can fully recover and compete at full strength in this China Open. In contrast, Axelsen just won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics and reached the finals of the Hong Kong Open, indicating that he is in excellent form. Therefore, a hot-performing Axelsen undoubtedly has a stronger chance of winning the championship.