PETALING JAYA: Former international Rashid Sidek expects the Japan Open men’s singles to be a keenly contested affair as players who did not do well at the World Championships, including Lee Zii Jia, will be aiming for some consolation in Osaka.
The competition has been left open after the withdrawal of newly crowned world champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and this will give the likes of World Championships runner-up Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen, Indonesians Jonatan Christie and Anthony Ginting as well as China’s Shi Yuqi, India’s Lakshya Sen and Zii Jia a shot at the title.
Rashid believes Kunlavut is psyched up after his splendid performance in Tokyo last week and will be pushing to win the event.
Zii Jia, who lost to China’s Zhao Junpeng in the last 16 of the world meet, will open his campaign against India’s K. Srikanth while Kunlavut faces a tough first-round clash against Ginting today.
“This is probably the first time an established open tournament is being held immediately after the World Championships. The players who didn’t do well last week will be trying to bounce back in Osaka,” said Rashid.
“Zii Jia is one of the contenders and based on current form, should overcome Srikanth.
“The dangerman will be Kunlavut who would also want to make amends after losing to Axelsen.
“It’s an open affair and tough to predict the winner.”
Independent shuttler Liew Daren, who lost in the first round of the World Championships to Axelsen, will be looking for better fortunes when he plays local player Kodai Naraoka in the first round today.
Singapore’s former world champion Loh Kean Yew, who is also seeking redemption, knocked out last week’s semi-finalist Junpeng with a 21-15, 21-9 win yesterday.
Tien-chen advanced to the second round with a 18-21, 21-17, 21-15 win over Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu in his opening match.
China’s Lu Guangzu also advanced to the second round after a 21-11, 11-21, 21-17 win over Thailand’s Sitthikom Thammasin while Brice Leverdez of France beat Heo Kwang-hee of South Korea 21-17, 9-21, 21-16.
