KUALA LUMPUR: Danish masters Viktor Axelsen and Anders Antonsen have turned the Malaysia Open Super 1000 into their personal playground, and their current form suggests the Vikings are poised to dominate the men's singles event for a fourth consecutive year.
Two-time Olympic champion and world No. 4 Axelsen began Denmark's reign with victories in 2022 and 2023.
Last year, world No. 2 Antonsen stunned the field to secure one of the most prestigious World Tour titles.
Axelsen, who turned 31 yesterday, skipped the World Tour Finals (WTF) last month to recover from a leg injury and is now targeting his third Malaysia Open title at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
Antonsen, meanwhile, has been in sublime form, clinching the China Masters Super 750 and the invitational King Cup in Shenzhen.
He also finished as runner-up to world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi of China at the WTF in Hangzhou last month.
The Danish duo, who are possibly the most popular foreign players in Malaysia, are expected to enjoy massive fan support at the Axiata Arena next week.
With crowd favourite and world No. 6 Lee Zii Jia forced to withdraw due to a right ankle injury, Malaysian fans will likely rally behind Axelsen or Antonsen to claim the title.
Former Denmark coach Kenneth Jonassen, the architect behind the success of Axelsen and Antonsen, believes the duo are well-positioned to vie for the men's singles crown.
However, Jonassen, who is now the national singles coach, cautioned that Yu Qi could disrupt Denmark's dominance.
"I believe Axelsen and Antonsen have a good chance of winning for Denmark again.
A fit and injury-free Axelsen is hard to beat, while Antonsen is also enjoying a good run," said Jonassen.
"But at the same time, I feel the tournament is quite open, with Yu Qi perhaps being the overall favourite."
Yu Qi, runner-up to Antonsen last year, will be determined to claim his first title in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, world No. 3 Jonatan Christie of Indonesia has struggled to make an impact in Malaysia, leaving the door open for a potential all-Danish final on Jan 12.
Fourth-seeded Axelsen is slated to meet top-seed Shi Yu Qi in the semi-finals, while Antonsen could face either Jonatan or world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the other last-four encounter.
With Malaysian fans rallying behind Axelsen and Antonsen in what has become their "second home," the Danish juggernaut will be hard to stop next week.