In addition, it would also be too early to cross Shi Yuqi, the Chinese youth who won All England 2018, off of potential champion list in this tournament. Shi played one of his best performances in Thomas Cup 2018 final rounds where he won all the matches throughout the tournament. Shi also shook the world when he defeated his elder, Lin Dan to win the All England 2018 title.

The senior players’ actions are also still highly anticipated in this tournament. Players such as Lin Dan (China), Chen Long (China) and Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia) will still challenge anyone’s title hope this year. Furthermore, Lee Chong Wei is still aiming for his seventh Indonesia Open title this year. The Malaysia best men’s singles has been crowned as Indonesia Open champion in six occasions: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2016.

On last year’s tournament, the men’s singles title was secured by Kidambi Srikanth from India. He set a new record by becoming the first Indian to win a men’s singles title in Indonesia Open history. Will he be able to defend his title this year? Or, will he be stopped by the Indonesians playing in this tournament such as Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Jonatan Christie and Tommy Sugiarto?

Anthony is currently being Indonesia’s most in-form men’s singles player, where he managed to win the Korea Open Super Series 2017 and Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2018. There would be no surprise should he gave any shocks to top players this year. Meanwhile, Jonatan Christie is now also sitting in the world’s Top 14 rank. A few top players have been beaten by Jonatan, namely Kidambi Srikanth, Shu Yuqi, and not to mention the World’s No. 2 player, Son Wan Ho.

The last Indonesian to grasp the title was Simon Santoso where he won it in 2012. Will men’s singles title is coming home this year?