The inaugural King Cup International Badminton Open in Shenzhen, China, has set the stage for a thrilling men’s singles final between Denmark’s Anders Antonsen and China’s rising star, Hu Zhe’an.
In the first semi-final, world No. 2 Anders Antonsen secured a decisive victory over France’s Alex Lanier with a scoreline of 21-15, 21-13. This win marked Antonsen’s first triumph over Lanier in their three encounters, showcasing his exceptional form leading into the final.
The second semi-final featured India’s top-ranked shuttler, Lakshya Sen, facing China’s 18-year-old prodigy and current junior world No. 1, Hu Zhe’an. In a closely contested match, Hu emerged victorious with identical scores of 21-19, 21-19, demonstrating remarkable poise and skill beyond his years.
The King Cup, conceived by two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan, is a unique tournament focusing exclusively on men’s singles. Although it does not contribute to world ranking points, the event has attracted top-tier talent, including Paris 2024 silver medallist Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand and former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore.
As anticipation builds for the final, badminton enthusiasts eagerly await the clash between Antonsen’s experience and Hu’s youthful exuberance. The championship match promises to be a highlight in the badminton calendar, reflecting the sport’s dynamic evolution and the emergence of new talent on the global stage.
Photo: Free Malaysia Today