Danger from France's 'Three Musketeers"
Alex Lanier, Christo, and Toma Junior Popov may not be title contenders, but they are still dangerous enough to cause upsets.
Badminton legend Datuk Rashid Sidek feels that the French shuttlers are not to be trifled with, especially when they are playing at home.
China's world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi and Denmark's world No. 2 Anders Antonsen will be among the favourites to land the men's singles crown.
However, Rashid warned that the Frenchmen
are capable of using home ground advantage to turn giantkillers in Paris.
World No. 7 Lanier, just 20, is already the youngest European champion and has won the Orleans Masters and finished runner-up at the Japan Open this year.
The Popov brothers — world No. 10 Christo and world No. 15 Toma Junior — have also been regularly reaching the quarter-finals and beyond on the World Tour this season.
"The quality of the men's singles field is very high. Although Yu Qi looks to be the favourite on paper, the French shuttlers are going to be the spoilers in Paris," said Rashid.
"They have already beaten some top names, and every top 10 shuttler will be worried about playing them.
"They may not go all the way to win the crown, but they are capable of upsetting a few top contenders."
Lanier proved that his 2024 title win at the Japan Open was no fluke by reaching the final again, only to be denied by Yu Qi.
Taiwan veteran and world No. 6 Chou Tien Chen is another player Rashid expects to trouble the title contenders in Paris.
Tien Chen, 35, downed reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in straight games to reach the last four of the China Open two weeks ago. He also upstaged Kunlavut en route to the Indonesia Open final in June.
"We cannot underestimate Tien Chen, who is also a dark horse in Paris. He has beaten Kunlavut twice and has the ability to beat any top player.
"I don't fancy them winning the title, but the French shuttlers and Tien Chen can end the dreams of many at the World Championships," added Rashid.
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