Shhh ... quiet darkhorse Yuqi may end up making loudest noise

PETALING JAYA: Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen is the red-hot favourite to win the men’s singles crown at the World Championships but it wil be foolhardy to underestimate China’s dangerman Shi Yuqi (pic).

National singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann said that Yuqi, who has returned early from the China Badminton Association’s (CBA) suspension, will pose the biggest threat to the favourites as little is known of his condition for the last 10 months.

“He’s a player to watch out for. No one has seen him play for some time,” said Choong Hann after Malaysia’s first official practice session at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium yesterday.

“We shall see his form only during this week’s event. It will be interesting.”

Yuqi, 26, incurred the wrath of the CBA for his lack of sportsmanship after deliberately conceding a walkover against Kento Momota while trailing 5-20 in the second game (having lost the first 22-20) during China’s Thomas Cup semi-finals against Japan in Aaarhus, Denmark, in October last year. China won the tie 3-1.

The 2018 World Championships silver medallist made things worse during a post-match press conference where he had claimed he didn’t lose to Momota but the match ended at 20-5.

Yuqi was slapped with a one-year suspension from the CBA which was ended earlier and he had replaced former Olympic champion Chen Long for the World Championships.

The 2018 All England champion is expected to meet Indonesian Anthony Ginting in the last eight and a win is expected to set him up for a mouth-watering clash against top seed Axelsen in the semi-finals in Tokyo.

Former international Rashid Sidek said it will be an open affair with Axelsen having a slight edge but Yuqi will be the darkhorse of the tournament.

“Yuqi’s form is unknown and I believe he is going to be a big threat at the World Championships. He may be the spoiler this time,” said Rashid.

“China’s shuttlers are known to go missing for months and suddenly return to win major events. During my days, Yang Yang used to do this before World Championships and will come back stronger and win (1997 and 1999).

“The last one to do this was LIn Dan in 2013 where he did not ompete for months and received a wildcard from BWF (Badminton World Federation) for the Guangzhou event and beat (Lee) Chong Wei for the title.

“Yuqi is not in the same class as Lin Dan but he’s still a top class player and his presence is going to spell trouble for a few players.”

Yuqi himself is not having high hopes and is glad to be back competing on the international stage again.

“I’ve been playing well and I’m really happy to be in Tokyo. I’m not too nervous. I’m just trying to learn from all my opponents.

“Because this is a high level tournament, I have a lot to learn from players like Viktor, Momota and Ginting, and a few others too,” Yuqi was quaoted by BWF.

Malaysia’s hopes will be on world No. 5 Lee Zii Jia who does not have to worry about Yuqi. Both will only meet each other if they proceed to the final.