Preview: Worlds of Opportunity

What a difference a year can make!

Last year at this time, the circuit was dominated by distinct players/pairs: Kento Momota (men’s singles), Tai Tzu Ying (women’s singles), Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (men’s doubles), Japan in women’s doubles, and Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong (mixed doubles).

A common sight at top-tier events: Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong celebrating their win.

A year later, while these players are still formidable contenders, there is no sense of infallibility in four of the five categories. The only exception, of course, is Zheng/Huang, who have rarely let their foot off the pedal. The reigning world champions are heavily favoured to retain their crown in Basel.

What makes Zheng/Huang exceptional is that they have never lost twice to the same pair. The most high-profile of these losses was to compatriots Wang Yi Lyu/Huang Dong Ping at the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals – which was avenged at the Malaysia Open this year.

Any pair that hopes to claim the world title in Basel will probably have to get past Zheng/Huang. Those who have beaten them once – Wang/Huang, Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai, Japan’s Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino, Malaysia’s Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying – are all serious contenders at the Worlds, but all will know that it will take a monumental effort to upset the world’s best pair.

The other categories are far more open.

Kento Momota is still the player to beat in men’s singles, but the aura that he carried in Nanjing has dissipated. The player most responsible for that was China’s Shi Yuqi, who twice thwarted the Japanese in high-stakes battles – in Guangzhou last year, and in the Sudirman Cup final this year. Shi unluckily suffered an ankle injury at the Indonesia Open and had to subsequently call off his participation for the World Championships.

Other strong contenders are Indonesia’s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting and Jonatan Christie; Indonesia Open winner Chou Tien Chen and Denmark’s Anders Antonsen. Veterans Lin Dan and Chen Long will also be in the reckoning. Lin Dan, given his surprise win at the Malaysia Open, will back himself for his sixth world title – a monumental achievement should it come to pass. Meanwhile, Denmark will bank on Anders Antonsen as Viktor Axelsen was sidelined with a back problem.

Kento Momota has appeared vulnerable this season.

In women’s singles, Tai Tzu Ying will hope to break her World Championships jinx. Last year she was shocked in the quarterfinals; this year her performances in the run-up to the Worlds haven’t been of her usual lofty standard, and it will be interesting to see if she can raise the bar in Basel.

The players most in focus will be Chen Yu Fei, the All England champion who has won four tournaments this season besides leading China to the Sudirman Cup title, and Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi, who won back-to-back titles in Indonesia and Japan.

Women’s singles has a recent tradition of being the most competitive of all categories, and their challengers will be many, including the likes of India’s Pusarla V Sindhu and Saina Nehwal, Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara and Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon.

Spain’s Carolina Marin, winner of a record three titles, will miss Basel as she could not recover in time after suffering a knee injury in January.

The Minions have worked up a good spell of results in time for the Worlds.

In men’s doubles, Gideon and Sukamuljo regained their glow which they had lost early this season. The Minions salvaged what was an average season with victories in Indonesia and Japan, and will hope things go their way as they seek their first world crown. Their chief challengers are China’s Li Jun Hui/Liu Yu Chen; Japan’s Takeshi Kamura/Keigo Sonoda and Hiroyuki Endo/Yuta Watanabe; Indonesian compatriots Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan and Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto, and Denmark’s Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen.

Japan have the aces in women’s doubles, with the three highest ranked pairs led by reigning champions Mayu Matsumoto/Wakana Nagahara. However, Japan are not the unstoppable force they were not so long ago. The revival of fortunes of China’s Chen Qing Chen/Jia Yi Fan – who won the All England, the Malaysia Open and the Badminton Asia Championships this year – has opened the field, as has the form of Du Yue/Li Yin Hui, who beat two of the top Japanese pairs on their way to the German Open title.

Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong were brilliant in Japan and will be reckoned as top contenders. Other pairs, such as Indonesia’s Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu, Bulgaria’s Stoeva sisters, and Korea’s Lee So Hee/Shin Seung Chan have the ability to go far in the draw.

World Championships News

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Lessons Learnt, Parting Perspectives

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Kidambi Srikanth – A Search for Form

13 September 2019
Momota, in the Eyes of his Opponents

Momota, in the Eyes of his Opponents

12 September 2019
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Recap: Upsets at the World Championships

10 September 2019
Recap: Memorable Matches of the World Championships

Recap: Memorable Matches of the World Championships

8 September 2019
Highlights of the World Championships

Highlights of the World Championships

7 September 2019
Played ‘Two’ Perfection – Basel 2019

Played ‘Two’ Perfection – Basel 2019

4 September 2019
Badminton, Ice Hockey and the World Championships

Badminton, Ice Hockey and the World Championships

4 September 2019
Three-Event Titan – 25th Edition World C’ships

Three-Event Titan – 25th Edition World C’ships

3 September 2019
Legends of ’77 – 25th Edition World C’Ships

Legends of ’77 – 25th Edition World C’Ships

31 August 2019
Para Badminton Event Comes to a Close – Basel 2019

Para Badminton Event Comes to a Close – Basel 2019

27 August 2019
Wristy Trickery Wins the Day – Basel 2019

Wristy Trickery Wins the Day – Basel 2019

26 August 2019
Great Comeback Falls Short – Basel 2019

Great Comeback Falls Short – Basel 2019

26 August 2019
Mixed Doubles ‘Great Wall’ Intact – Basel 2019

Mixed Doubles ‘Great Wall’ Intact – Basel 2019

26 August 2019
Antonsen Bows to Momota’s Class – Basel 2019

Antonsen Bows to Momota’s Class – Basel 2019

25 August 2019
Gold – At Last! – Basel 2019

Gold – At Last! – Basel 2019

25 August 2019
Poveda Makes It a First for Peru – Basel 2019

Poveda Makes It a First for Peru – Basel 2019

25 August 2019
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25 August 2019
Ray’s a Real Sport – 25th Edition World C’Ships

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25 August 2019
China Take Two Gold – Basel 2019

China Take Two Gold – Basel 2019

25 August 2019
‘Upsetting’ Night for China – Basel 2019

‘Upsetting’ Night for China – Basel 2019

24 August 2019
Antonsen’s ‘Insane’ Dream – Basel 2019

Antonsen’s ‘Insane’ Dream – Basel 2019

24 August 2019
Glasgow ’17 on the Cards – Basel 2019

Glasgow ’17 on the Cards – Basel 2019

24 August 2019
Five Down, Seventeen to Go – Basel 2019

Five Down, Seventeen to Go – Basel 2019

24 August 2019
Sindhu Assures Herself: Tomorrow Will Be Different

Sindhu Assures Herself: Tomorrow Will Be Different

24 August 2019
Para Badminton Athletes Turn It Up a Notch – Basel 2019

Para Badminton Athletes Turn It Up a Notch – Basel 2019

24 August 2019
Flaming Dane Set Courts Aglow – 25th Edition World C’Ships

Flaming Dane Set Courts Aglow – 25th Edition World C’Ships

24 August 2019
Antonsen Delivers for Europe – Basel 2019

Antonsen Delivers for Europe – Basel 2019

23 August 2019
Du/Li Stand Tall After 2-Hour Epic – Basel 2019

Du/Li Stand Tall After 2-Hour Epic – Basel 2019

23 August 2019
Kantaphon Leads Thailand’s Record Haul – Basel 2019

Kantaphon Leads Thailand’s Record Haul – Basel 2019

23 August 2019
Sensational Session for India – Basel 2019

Sensational Session for India – Basel 2019

23 August 2019
Tall Order for Standing Men – Basel 2019

Tall Order for Standing Men – Basel 2019

23 August 2019
Crowd Pleasing Superstar – 25th Edition World C’Ships

Crowd Pleasing Superstar – 25th Edition World C’Ships

23 August 2019
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Teenage Shuttler Meets His Idol – Basel 2019

23 August 2019
Wheelchair Top Seed Toppled – Basel 2019

Wheelchair Top Seed Toppled – Basel 2019

23 August 2019
‘Two’ Much Trouble! – Basel 2019

‘Two’ Much Trouble! – Basel 2019

22 August 2019
Intanon Survives Scare – Basel 2019

Intanon Survives Scare – Basel 2019

22 August 2019
BWF Statement – TOTAL BWF World Championships 2019

BWF Statement – TOTAL BWF World Championships 2019

22 August 2019
Belated Birthday Blitz! – Basel 2019

Belated Birthday Blitz! – Basel 2019

22 August 2019
Back Problem Doesn’t Stall Jia Min – Basel 2019

Back Problem Doesn’t Stall Jia Min – Basel 2019

22 August 2019
Girl Power – Basel 2019

Girl Power – Basel 2019

22 August 2019
Group Rounds Move into Main Draw – Basel 2019

Group Rounds Move into Main Draw – Basel 2019

22 August 2019
Lessons from the Seventies – 25th Edition World C’Ships

Lessons from the Seventies – 25th Edition World C’Ships

22 August 2019
Women Getting in Gear – Basel 2019

Women Getting in Gear – Basel 2019

21 August 2019
German Shock for Fifth Seeds – Basel 2019

German Shock for Fifth Seeds – Basel 2019

21 August 2019
I Feel at Home says Mroz – Basel 2019

I Feel at Home says Mroz – Basel 2019

21 August 2019
The Power of the Mind – Basel 2019

The Power of the Mind – Basel 2019

21 August 2019
Minions Crash Land at Worlds Yet Again – Basel 2019

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21 August 2019
Suzuki Banks on Experience Over Age – Basel 2019

Suzuki Banks on Experience Over Age – Basel 2019

21 August 2019
Nagahara ‘Mixing It Up’ – Basel 2019

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20 August 2019
Jia Min Ousts Top Seed – Basel 2019

Jia Min Ousts Top Seed – Basel 2019

20 August 2019
Lin’s Challenge Sputters Out – Basel 2019

Lin’s Challenge Sputters Out – Basel 2019

20 August 2019
Mazur On Track to Retain Crown – Basel 2019

Mazur On Track to Retain Crown – Basel 2019

20 August 2019
Trading One Set of Wheels for Another

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20 August 2019
Ouseph Exits Stage, Bids Goodbye – Basel 2019

Ouseph Exits Stage, Bids Goodbye – Basel 2019

19 August 2019
Chou Survives Danish Test  – Basel 2019

Chou Survives Danish Test – Basel 2019

19 August 2019
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19 August 2019
Draw Provides an Even Playing Field for All

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18 August 2019
Para-llel Event a Unique Experience for Badminton Fraternity

Para-llel Event a Unique Experience for Badminton Fraternity

18 August 2019
An Occasion to Cherish for Jaquet – Basel 2019

An Occasion to Cherish for Jaquet – Basel 2019

18 August 2019
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17 August 2019
By Chou’s Side

By Chou’s Side

16 August 2019
Satwik/Chirag to Miss World Championships

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16 August 2019
Indian Pair Blazes a Trail

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15 August 2019
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14 August 2019
Life Lessons, From Coach Kim Ji Hyun

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14 August 2019
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13 August 2019
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11 August 2019
England Duo Anticipate Fruitful Week in Basel

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10 August 2019
Women’s Singles Re-Draw – TOTAL BWF World Championships 2019

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9 August 2019
Winny Will Need Support: Liliyana Natsir

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8 August 2019
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7 August 2019
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5 August 2019
Marin, Shi Join Axelsen on Sidelines

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5 August 2019
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New Para Badminton Chapter Unfolds in Basel

1 August 2019
Injured Axelsen Withdraws From World Championships

Injured Axelsen Withdraws From World Championships

31 July 2019
From Malmo to Basel – 25th Edition World C’Ships

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30 July 2019
Famous Five and the Good Old Days – 25th Edition World C’Ships

Famous Five and the Good Old Days – 25th Edition World C’Ships

19 July 2019
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11 July 2019
History Beckons Zhang Nan

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10 July 2019
Chen To Lead China’s Charge

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9 July 2019
19 Days Left To Register for World Coaching Conference

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26 June 2019
Marin on the Mend and Eyes Return

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22 June 2019
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19 June 2019
Li & Liu – Stepping Up When It Matters

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7 June 2019
Ivanov & Sozonov Rekindle The Fire

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3 June 2019
Tien Minh – Veteran Still Chasing His Dreams

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2 June 2019
Confidence Boost for Dutch Duo

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1 June 2019
Matsumoto & Nagahara: Rapid Ascent to Pinnacle

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8 May 2019
Tai Eases into Top Gear

Tai Eases into Top Gear

25 April 2019
Zhao Yunlei Star Speaker at Coaching Conference

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24 April 2019
‘The Physical Level Has Gone Up’

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22 April 2019
Memories of Lausanne 1995

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20 April 2019
Momota Sets the Pace, but Speedbreakers Lurk

Momota Sets the Pace, but Speedbreakers Lurk

18 April 2019
BWF and Total Celebrate Five Years of Partnership

BWF and Total Celebrate Five Years of Partnership

18 April 2019
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Badminton Thrust into Bright Lights – World C’Ships

13 March 2019
Gold and Glory for Arbi – Throwback ’95 World C’ships

Gold and Glory for Arbi – Throwback ’95 World C’ships

19 February 2019
GoDaddy Extends Major Events Partnership with BWF

GoDaddy Extends Major Events Partnership with BWF

11 February 2019
Star speakers assembled for BWF World Coaching Conference 2019

Star speakers assembled for BWF World Coaching Conference 2019

30 January 2019
Singles Champions – Down the Ages

Singles Champions – Down the Ages

20 December 2018
Celebrating 25 editions of the BWF World Championships

Celebrating 25 editions of the BWF World Championships

20 December 2018
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