Rising prospects: Alex Lanier and Hu Zhean have been making heads turn with their performances on the world badminton stage.
ODENSE: Expect Alex Lanier of France and China’s Hu Zhean to enliven the men’s singles competition in the new Olympic Games cycle.
They are the two youngsters that former singles great Wong Choong Hann has picked as newer faces who are making their mark and will continue to stand out in the new season.
The 19-year-old Lanier, ranked 21st in the world, showed class in his superb 21-18, 15-21, 24-22 win against former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore to reach the Denmark Open semi-finals at Jyske Bank Arena in Odense.
He plays Japan’s Koki Watanabe next in the last four.
The 18-year-old Hu Zhean is not in Denmark but the reigning world junior champion won his first Super 100 title when he came out tops in the Baoji China Masters in June this year.
It’s his first senior title. He also has won back-to-back Asian junior titles in 2023 and 2024.
Although it’s early to see the rise of new faces, Choong Hann said that Lanier and Hu Zhean have stood out.
“Alex has been there in the background but this year, post Olympic Games, he has stepped out in his game,” said Choong Hann.
The reigning Japan Open champion Lanier also gave a good fight against two-time Olympic Games champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the second round before the Dane withdrew due to illness at 19-21, 7-11.
“This French player had always beaten players ranked higher than him in the junior ranks. He is an intelligent player and has good skill set.
“You can see that he has good badminton foundation from the accurate shots and his clever movements on court.
“What I like most is his ability to switch his game during a match. Usually, players will assess their game after the match, and will regret that they didn’t change this or that during the game but Alex is something else.
“He is quick to react during a game and I think, that’s a gift.”
On the Chinese player, Choong Hann said the badminton fraternity should take notice of the world No. 274 player.
“Hu Zhean has dominated the junior ranks, and is now playing in lower ranked tournaments.
“Expect him to make a quick progression, and soon he will be beating top players on the big stage. His all-round game is excellent,” said Choong Hann.
Choong Hann, who is in Denmark as the head coach of the Hong Kong team, said he was coping well with his new role.
Yesterday, his mixed pair Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet gave top seeds Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping of China a run for their money before losing 23-21, 19-21, 19-21 in a match than went on for one hour and 20 minutes.
