Former All-England champ Hafiz picks Axelsen but others can spoil the party
PETALING JAYA: Who will hoist the men’s singles winning trophy at the All-England starting on Tuesday in Birmingham?
There are a few title contenders but former All-England champion Hafiz Hashim has tipped Viktor Axelsen to smash his way for another title at his happy hunting ground.
Axelsen has a formidable record in the prestigious tourney, lifting the title in 2020 and 2022 and finishing runners-up in 2019 and 2021.
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The great Dane may no longer be the dominant force that he was due to injuries that had hampered his progress but Hafiz believes Axelsen still has what it takes to go all the way to make it a hattrick of titles in the world’s oldest badminton competition.
The other players in with a chance to capture the crown include China’s world No. 1 Shi Yuqi and Axelsen’s teammate Anders Antonsen.
Home fans here will be hoping for Lee Zii Jia to pull off something special too.
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Said Hafiz: “Anyone can stop Viktor especially the players in the world’s top 10 but I think Viktor still has a higher chance to win the title, based on current performance.
“I will say he has up to 80% chance.”
“There will be more excitement this time in the competition and others like Antonsen, Yuqi and even our player Zii Jia also stand a chance but perhaps, about 70 percent.”
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Although he has picked the great Dane as the favourite, Hafiz, who triumphed in 2003, hopes to see a youngster go all the way.
Among the players, who could spring a surprise are Thailand’s reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, rising Frenchman Alex Lanier, brothers Toma Junior Popov and Christo Popov.
“Prestigious tournaments like the All-England always will have big upsets. I would love to see young players win the title as well because if Viktor wins, it’s normal,” said Hafiz.
“I hope to see young players show that they are also capable to win like Lanier, the Popov brothers or our player (Leong) Jun Hao.”
Last year, Indonesia’s world No. 3 Jonatan Christie emerged champion after defeating teammate Anthony Ginting in the final.
Meanwhile, former great Datuk James Selvaraj is predicting the final to be between Axelsen and Yuqi but at the same time does not want to rule out Zii Jia.
“I don’t see any player being very consistent now, so the tournament could be an open affair. I believe the final could be between Yuqi and Axelsen,” said James.
“We also cannot rule out Zii Jia.
“He could spring a surprise and reach the final.
“He is very unpredictable, so anything is possible.”
Zii Jia has been drawn against world No. 20 Angus Ng Ka Long of Hong Kong in the first round while Jun Hao, who will be making his debut in the event, has a difficult task against Jonatan in the opener.
