Lei Lanxi become China’s new hope in men’s singles?

dd yy September 21, 2024 0

Defeating top players like Viktor Axelsen is no easy feat in today’s world.

Lei Lanxi, currently ranked 28th globally, has shown a transformative performance in the past two weeks. In recent years, he frequently lost in three-game matches and often exited in the early rounds of international competitions. However, at last week’s Hong Kong Open, he defeated top players, including Indonesia’s No.1, Jonatan Christie, to reach his first Super 500 final.

In the Hong Kong Open final, Lei was defeated 2-0 by Viktor Axelsen. Just three days later, the two met again in the first round of the China Open.

This time, Lei Lanxi, once called “Little Lin Dan,” finally displayed shades of “Super Dan.” His precise net control, explosive attacks, and solid defense kept Axelsen on the back foot throughout. Lei’s diving saves were almost identical to Lin Dan’s signature moves, and he quickly recovered to continue his offense and defense. One rally lasted for 16 shots, with Lei saving several crucial shots before ultimately winning the point. After losing that point, Axelsen gave Lei a thumbs-up on the spot, clearly impressed by Lei’s performance.

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Although Axelsen mentioned in the post-match interview that he was a bit tired from arriving in Changzhou just the previous night, he still acknowledged that Lei played better, noting that Lei had been performing well since the Hong Kong Open.

After the Paris Olympics, the performances of China’s men’s singles players, Shi Yuqi and Li Shifeng, have been disappointing. At this year’s China Open, Li Shifeng was eliminated in the first round, and Shi Yuqi fell in the second. Lei Lanxi’s sudden rise over the past two weeks has undoubtedly boosted the morale of China’s men’s singles, offering fans hope for a new star.

A minor regret is that Lei’s breakthrough came later than expected. At 26, it’s uncertain whether he can maintain his form until the next Olympics. Some fans have already started calling him “Lei Shen” (Thunder God), hoping he can continue his upward trajectory, much like two-time Olympic champion Zhang Ning, who entered her golden era after turning 28.