Rashid: Hard to predict who will win singles title in Paris

PETALING JAYA: Former great Datuk Rashid Sidek says it is anyone’s game in the men’s singles at the Olympic Games in Paris although a few of them have been more dominant than the others.

Defending champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark was unbeatable at one stage of his life while China’s Shi Yuqi has grown to be a solid contender for the gold at the Games from July 26-Aug 11 at the Adidas Arena in Porte de la Chapelle.

But Rashid says even the favourites can be packed off early.

“Yuqi is the favourite for the gold based on recent form and on paper but anything can happen in the Olympics,” said Rashid.

“Axelsen is the defending champion but all of his opponents will have studied his game extensively, so he needs to go the extra mile to triumph again.”

Rashid, who won bronze in the 1996 Atlanta Games, is not discounting reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, Lakshya Sen of India, Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting, Jonatan Christie, Denmark’s Anders Antonsen and local hopeful Lee Zii Jia.

“It’s hard to predict who will win the gold,” he said.

Kunlavut can go far too. Underdogs have won the title before, so we can’t rule anyone out.

The world No. 7 Zii Jia should have no problems getting past his group stage but could face the 2021 Tokyo Games bronze medallist Anthony in the last 16.

The head-to-head records is not in favour of Zii Jia as he has only beaten Anthony once in six meetings.If the professional wins, he will likely face Antonsen in the quarter-finals.

It will not get any easier for Zii Jia after that as world No. 1 Yuqi or Kunlavut will most probably await in the last four.

“Zii Jia should not fear anyone but play with confidence to keep alive his hope to win a gold,” said Rashi.

“He definitely has a chance of at least winning a medal.

“Zii Jia has beaten all the top players before this, even defending champion Viktor, so this should give him confidence.

“Based on form, he is now better than Anthony as he has won two titles (Thailand and Australian Open) while the Indonesian’s form has dropped lately.

“Of course, Anthony can improve as all players will be well prepared in the Olympics but Zii Jia can beat him.

“Zii Jia has beaten Antonsen before and can do so again. He needs to be well prepared mentally, physically and most importantly handle the pressure well,” added Rashid.

World No. 2 Axelsen, who is in the bottom half of the draw, could set-up an intriguing clash against China’s reigning Asian Games gold medallist Li Shifeng in the last eight.

Shifeng must first beat Singapore’s 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew in the round of 16.

In another interesting early tie, All-England champion Jonatan needs to overcome India’s 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen in Group L to make it to the round of 16.