Top Chinese women's singles players such as Wang Zhiyi and Chen Yufei are reported absent from the Korea Open, a BWF Super 500 event opening November 3 in Yeosu. The Chosun Ilbo said on the 31st that Japan's Akane Yamaguchi is hoping to win her first title since July.
The Chosun Ilbo reported on the 31st that a string of withdrawals by leading Chinese players has left the women's singles draw thin. Its headline floats the idea that Yamaguchi could spring a surprise if world No. 1 An Se-young were to drop out, but we could not read the full article, so we make no claim about whether An will finally play.
광고 문의 · 300×250The event outline is supported by earlier reporting. FT Sports wrote on October 3 that this year's Korea Open runs November 3 to 8 in Yeosu, South Jeolla, with An, Yamaguchi, Kim Ga-eun and Shim Yu-jin on the entry list. World No. 2 Wang Zhiyi, No. 4 Chen Yufei and No. 8 Han Yue are absent, and only world No. 29 Han Qianxi represents China in the event.
Why the Chinese players are missing
FT Sports noted that these players entered the Kumamoto Masters in Japan, which starts November 10. It suggested they may want to manage fatigue and avoid facing An in front of a strong Korean home crowd. That is the outlet's reading only; no reason has been confirmed by the Chinese federation or the players.
According to the same report, Wang has played no Super 500 event this year and plans to enter the Hong Kong Open right after Kumamoto, while Chen has already met the rule requiring top-15 players to enter at least two Super 500 events a year. In other words, skipping Korea does not appear to breach the rules.
Yamaguchi's upset scenario
The Chosun Ilbo stressed that Yamaguchi has not won a title since July and sees this event as a chance. An beat Yamaguchi comfortably in the Indonesia Open final in June, so the gap between them still looks wide. Still, a draw without the top Chinese players opens the road to the final for Yamaguchi and Korean players alike.
The question to watch is thus whether An dominates or her rivals from Japan and Korea can break through. An's condition, the final entry list and the draw will be settled closer to the start, and this paper will follow up once they are confirmed.