Men's Singles
Kunlavut Vitidsarn v Prannoy HS
Vitidsarn's selection of the Astrox 88D Pro racket with BG80 strings provides a perfect blend of power and precision. His chances are favourable, but he'll need to overcome strong competition. Vitidsarn has 28/9 loss ratio and is the current Thailand and India Open champion. Came second in last year’s World Championships and will be very keen to go one step further this year.
Meanwhile, Prannoy HS is an accomplished Indian badminton player known for his powerful smashes, agility on court, and ability to upset top-seeded players in major tournaments.
Our winner: Kunlavut. Despite Prannoy defeating the great Dane Viktor Axelsen yesterday, it might have taken a bit too much out of him. Kunlavut will have some extra motivation now he will not be facing Axelsen on the other side of the court.
Kodai Naraoka v Anders Antonsen
With the Astrox 99 Pro racket and Exbolt 65 strings, Naraoka's game is one focused on control and precision. His chances are promising, and he has the potential to be a dark horse. Meanwhile, Antonsen's Auraspeed 90K racket, along with VBS-63 strings, effectively aid his versatile playing style. He has a solid chance and should not be underestimated. It’s a home tournament, which would favour Anders, but he has had an inconsistent few years.
Our winner: Despite Anders being at home and his great form so far, it could be one step too far for him and Kodai’s energy may be too much for him to handle.
Our title winner: We’re going with Kunlavut, it’s time to make himself a hero back in Thailand and bring home the World Championship title.
Women’s Singles
An Se Young v Chen Yu Fei
An Se Young's equipment is perfect for her amazing agility and precision (Astrox 77 Pro and BG80 strings). South Korean-born Young stands as one of the most promising talents in the world of badminton and this could well be the tournament she fulfils potential.
Chen Yu Fei's style emphasises control and finesse, and her equipment choice (Astrox 77 Pro and Exbolt 63 strinigs) reflects this. Undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, she’s fast, she’s fiery and she’s cool. Yu Fei won the Indonesian Open 2023, but has already lost to An Se Young in Malaysia, England, Dubai and Korea this year.
Our winner: China are notorious for bringing home golds in major events but An Se Young is looking unbeatable and already has four wins over Chen Yu Fei this year so we’re backing An Se Young to win this one.
Akane Yamaguchi v Carolina Marin
Yamaguchi, known for her swift footwork and aggressive play, is equipped with tools (Astrox 100zz Kurenai and Exbolt 63 strings) perfect for her power and agility. She’s the reigning Canada Open, Malaysian Masters, German Open and Malaysian Open champion.
Marin’s dynamic style of play and aggression are well supported by her equipment (Nanoflare 1000z and Aerobite strings), which help to enhance her speed and offensive prowess. As a former champion, her chances are strong. Another left hander, she was untouchable for a long period of time and has won three golds at the World Championships, and six European crowns.
Our winner: Akane Yamaguchi, mainly because we want to watch another epic Yamaguchi vs An Se Young final. Since Marin’s ACL injury, her form has been patchy and she might not have it in her to match the high level she has set for herself.
Our title winner: An Se Young. There is a notable gulf in class between her overall game and her competitors. If she plays to the best of her ability she will be a very difficult player to stop.
Men’s Doubles
Wang Chang & Liang Wei Keng v Kim Astrup & Anders Skaarup Rasumussen
With both Chinese players opting for Astrox 77 Pro and Astrox 100zz Kurenai rackets and Power Cushion Comfort Z3 shoes, they bring a combination of power and adaptability to the court. Having won both Thailand and Indian Opens, it’s been a strong year for the pair so far.
Meanwhile, Astrup and Rasumussen, the Danish 11th seeds, stunned Malaysia’s Ong Yew Sin & Teo Ee Yi and world number two Rankireddy and Shetty on the way to the semi-finals, cheered on by their gleeful home fans.
Our winners: Wang Chang & Liang Wei Keng. China are out of the men’s singles, have an outside chance in the women’s, but in doubles they are likely finalists in both men’s and women’s.
Aaron Chia & Soh Wooi Yik v Kang Min Hyuk & Seo Seung Jae
Chia's Arcsaber 11 Pro and Yik's Astrox 88D Pro along with Exbolt 65 and BG65TI strings they use offer a balanced approach. They have been consistent performers, and their well-chosen equipment could certainly help their chances. The current champions made history last year, but will they manage to defend their title?
Kang Min Hyuk & Seo Seung Jae use Astrox 88D Pro and Nanoflare 700 rackets respectively, both with BG80 strings. This combination has proven to be adaptable and resilient. Their diverse skill set and equipment could pay dividends. They won the Australian Open just a few weeks ago to warm up for this, so they are in good form.
Our winners: Hard not to pick Aaron Chia & Soh Wooi Yik. They’ve been in excellent form this week, pulling off victories in tricky matches despite their favourable seeding. They beat the Olympic champions and China’s incredible Liu Yu Chen on their way here, but interestingly enough these two pairs have never played each other.
Our title winners: Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. We hope we haven’t cursed them, Aaron visited Central Sports last March so we’re big fans. They’re Malaysian heroes and we’d love to see the celebrations if they can defend the title.
Women's Doubles
Chen Qing Chen & Jia Yi Fan v Zhang Shu Xian & Zheng Yu
Chen's Astrox 100zz and Jia's Nanoflare 800 rackets complement their attacking style. Paired with Power Cushion 65Z3 shoes and Aerobite/BG80 strings, this duo are on fire. This year they have three title wins already and could potentially add a fourth here.
Zhang Shu Xian & Zheng Yu (100zz and 88s pro) constitue a surprise package in the semi-finals, securing an epic victory against Pearly & Thinaah yesterday. They’re going to be ones to watch in the future but I think today’s going to be the end of the road.
Our winner: Impossible to look beyond Chen Qing Chen & Jia Yi Fan. Two incredible players.
Kong Hee Yong & Kim So Yeong v Apriyani Rahayu & Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti
Both using Astrox 88D rackets and Eclipsion Z shoes, Kong and Kim are ready to take on the world with their powerful and aggressive play. Aerobite and 66 Ultimax strings provide an additional edge. Having claimed silver last year at the World Championships and definitely out for revenge, they’re going to be had to beat.
Apriyani Rahayu and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti are something of a surprise package in getting to the semi-finals, one half of the pairing is the current Olympic champion, but since Greysia Polli retired she’s really struggled to reignite that winning form.
Our winner: We’re going for Rahayu & Ramadhanti. Again maybe we’re being superstitious because they’re the last Indos standing and surely they have to have a representative on finals day.
Our winner: Chen Qing Chen & Jia Yi Fan. An unstoppable force.
Mixed Doubles
Zheng Si Wei & Huang Ya Qiong v Jiang Zhen Bang & Wei Ya Xin
Zheng, armed with an Arcsaber 11 Pro, and Huang with an Astrox 77 Pro, form a balanced team. Their rackets are known for control and precision, and their string choices (BG65 and BG66 - Ultimax) add extra power to their shots. Zheng Si Wei is just a perfect mixed doubles player and Huang Ya Qiong just oozes class there isn’t much that can stop them. Three-time world champions, silver medal at the Olympics, they’ve won so much, this feels like a straight-forwasd semi.
At 23 and 22, Jiang (Astrox 77 pro) and Wei (Arcsaber 7 pro) are one of the youngest pairs in world badminton. They have the skills and not dropped a game all week but how will they fare when facing their heroes?
Our winner: Zheng Si Wei & Huang Ya Qiong. They just play a different game, so good to watch, perfectly in sync and beautifully thought out.
Yuta Watanabe & Arisa Higashino v Seo Seung Jae & Chae Yu Jung
Watanabe wields a Li-Ning Aeronaut 9000C, while Higashino utilises a Yonex Nanoflare 700. Higashino's Power Cushion 65z3 shoes ensure mobility. The pair's varied equipment choices show their adaptability in playing styles. Watanabe is a bit of a badminton legend, but has never won a gold medal at the world championships! Could he finally do it?
Both using the Nanoflare 700 rackets, Seo and Chae are a balanced pair with focus on speed and control. Their choice of BG80 strings adds to their offensive capabilities. With Seo playing both the doubles and mixed this week brings a stern test to his physical capabilities. With no titles this year, they’re a wild shout but as world No.5 their consistency is key.
Our winner: Yuta Watanabe & Arisa Higashino – these two should have just a bit too much class for the Koreans today.
Our title winners: Zheng Si Wei & Huang Ya Qiong – because China do not play major events for silvers!
