A Danish dream

Party poopers: China’s Li Shifeng and Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie could spoil Denmark’s hopes of having two finalists in the gold medal match. — Agencies

PETALING JAYA: Viktor Axelsen is dreaming of setting up an all-Denmark men’s singles final with Anders Antonsen in the Paris Olympics starting this Saturday at the Adidas Arena in Porte de la Chapelle.

But a capable few, including Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia could spoil their party.

Only once, there have been two players from the same country who made it to the final in the men’s singles ever since the sport was introduced in the 1992 Barcelona Games.

It was an all-Indonesian final when Alan Budikusuma defeated Ardy Wiranata for the gold that same year.

For the record, Denmark have won the men’s singles gold twice in the Olympics through 1996 champion Paul-Erik Hoyer, who is currently the president of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), and Axelsen.

Defending champion Axelsen and world No. 4 Antonsen are in opposite sides of the draw and can meet each other in the title showdown if both make it into the final.

But both Danes need to navigate tough hurdles along the way with world No. 7 Zii Jia one of the players capable of spoiling their party.

Antonsen and Zii Jia are likely to play each other in the last eight.

Zii Jia however, has to clear the Indonesian Anthony Ginting hurdle in the last 16.

Jonatan Christie.

Axelsen on the other hand could take on China’s reigning Asian Games gold medallist Li Shifeng in the same stage.

Indonesia’s All-England champion Jonatan Christie or Japan’s 2023 World Championships silver medallist Kodai Naraoka could then stand in the way of the 30-year-old in the semi-final if he overcomes Shifeng.

Former great Rashid Sidek believes that both Axelsen and Antonsen will need to do it the hard way if they hoped to reach the final.

“Axelsen has the experience but being the defending champion, it is the question of whether he can handle the pressure,” said Rashid, who won bronze in the 1996 Atlanta Games.

“He has been struggling of late in the tour events where he has lost to opponents in straight games this year and that is rare if you look at his consistency previously.

“An all-Danish final is possible only if Antonsen goes all the way but he may have to face Zii Jia most likely in the quarter-finals.

“Zii Jia may spring a few surprises as he is the underdog in Paris and he has been playing well,” added Rashid.