It’s now just three days to wait before the world’s best will arrive at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, to compete for the coveted world title. The championships will be held from 19th to 25th August, and we will be with you every step of the way.
Throughout the season, the men’s doubles have brought great entertainment to fans, mainly due to how competitive it has been at the top. However, if the last two big tour events (Indonesia and Japan) are anything to go by, Indonesia is in for a positive World Championships, with the now world number one and two, Gideon & Sukamuljo with Ahsan & Setiawan following this order in two all-Indonesia finals.
However, the way the draw has played out, another all-Indonesia final with these pairs is not possible, as they would have to face-off in the semifinal.
Who can stop the ‘Minions’?
When Marcus Gideon and Kevin Sukamuljo are in the groove, they tend to go on long winning streaks. Two title wins on the road to Basel certainly qualifies as a great winning streak. But it has to be said that on the biggest stage they tend to go missing. Despite world number one status and regular success on the circuit, they have not yet medalled at the World Championships. Perhaps this year they will break this unwanted pattern.
A pair that seems to know how to put together a perfect game plan for the ‘Minions’ are Japan’s star pairing of Endo and Watanabe. Luckily for the Minions, the Japanese have been drawn in the lower half of the draw and need to get past the great Chinese Wall that is Zhang Nan and Liu Cheng, world champions in 2017, as well as current world champions Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen. This is no mean feat, but if they do it, they may just have one hand on the trophy.
Representing Europe, there is the much-awaited return of Denmark’s Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen since their silver medal at the European Games. A promising draw for the Danes seeded as number 8, which potentially sets-up a quarterfinal match-up against Ahsan and Setiawan, whom they have never beaten, but are always very competitive indeed.
For the full draw and schedule, click
here.