Top five title favourites in men's singles at All England Open 2024

Published at :March 10, 2024 at 8:07 PM

Modified at :March 19, 2024 at 12:21 AM

(Courtesy : BWF Europe)

Viktor Axelsen will be eyeing his third All-England title.

This year’s All England Open is back and the athletes are all fired up to take home the trophy and play well. It’s one of the four Super 1000 competitions held each year.

Its rich history, dating back to the first open competition in Guildford in 1898, adds to its prestige. For many players, winning the All-England Championship is a coveted goal, with the event often held in higher regard than the World Championships.

The All England Open 2024 is set to highlight the premier players in men’s singles badminton. We will delve into the profiles of the top five contenders vying for the 2024 crown in England.

Viktor Axelsen

Viktor Axelsen, Denmark’s badminton superstar, is a name synonymous with excellence in the sport. Currently, ranked World No. 1, Axelsen is a formidable force on the court.

With his previous victories at the All England Open in 2020 and 2021, Axelsen’s undeniable skill and experience put him at the forefront of the title favourites’ list for 2024. Viktor will be facing former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth in the first round, who is not in form. He will then likely face Weng Hongyang or Lin Chun-yi, who won’t be a cakewalk but Viktor is the favourite to defeat them. His major test will be Li Shifeng in the semifinal.

Shi Yuqi

Shi Yuqi, the Chinese badminton star, is a strong contender in the men’s singles category. His quick movements and solid defense are notable and he’s a potential threat to Viktor Axelsen. After losing the final to Li Shifeng last year, Shi Yuqi is eager to win this year’s title.

He’s expected to progress smoothly to the quarterfinals, where he’ll meet world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn. If he advances, he may face Anders Antonsen or Kodai Naraoka in the semifinals.

Kodai Naraoka

Japan’s rising badminton talent, Kodai Naraoka, has made a swift ascent in the men’s singles rankings, thanks to his remarkable endurance. He’s set to play against Lee Zii Jia and Loh Kean Yew in the initial rounds, which presents a challenging draw.

A quarterfinal clash with his rival Anders Antonsen is highly anticipated given their past encounters. Should he advance, a semifinal match against Shi Yuqi could be a highlight of the tournament.

Anders Antonsen

Danish player Anders Antonsen is known for his steady performances and has previously reached the All England Open final. With a strong start to the 2024 season, winning two out of three tournaments, he’s only lost one match this year.

Antonsen’s first round match is against Kanta Tsuneyama, followed by a challenging second round game against Lakshya Sen. A quarterfinal against Kodai Naraoka could reignite their rivalry.

Li Shifeng

Li Shifeng, the unseeded player who won last year’s All England Championships, aims to defend his title in 2024. He faces an easy path to the quarterfinals, where he may meet HS Prannoy. A semifinal showdown with Viktor Axelsen awaits if he progresses, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.

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