Exciting matches and big names at HYLO^® Open 2024

This year’s HYLO^® Open 2024, from 29 October to 3 November 2024 in the Saarlandhalle in Saarbrücken, once again offers a particularly exciting lineup. Defending champion and public favourite Chou Tien Chen from Taiwan is returning with a fifth tournament win in Saarbrücken in his sights. He will be joined in the men’s singles by top French player Toma Junior Popov and his brother Christo Popov, as well as Alex Lanier.

The women’s singles will feature Danish champion Line Kjaersfeldt and top Scottish player Kirsty Gilmour, among others.

A total of 274 athletes from 37 countries will be coming to Saarbrücken. Our French neighbours are sending 20 athletes, to the huge excitement of the countless fans from the border region. Traditionally, Asian supporters have also ramped up the mood and atmosphere in the hall as they celebrate their stars from Malaysia (12 athletes), Taiwan (10 athletes), Indonesia (7 athletes) and Thailand (5 athletes). After Germany (32 athletes), the second-largest contingent coming to Saarbrücken is from the badminton nation of Denmark, with a total of 25 players. 

German Badminton Federation optimistic

The draw promises some exciting matches right from the very first round. This home tournament is a particular highlight for the athletes of the German Badminton Federation (DBV). National coach Hannes Käsbauer is optimistic about the coming week: ‘We are really looking forward to the HYLO^® Open, as it is a genuine home game for many of us. We have lots of athletes on the court and we want to go all out. The aim is to get as far as possible in every discipline and push through from round to round. We will be seeing both new and well-established doubles pairings and are excited about the week’s play.’

We are really looking forward to the HYLO^® Open, as it is a genuine home game for many of us. We have lots of athletes on the court and we want to go all out.

Hannes Käsbauer, national coach

Yvonne Li back in competition mode

Yvonne Li has fought her way back to competition fitness after an extended break due to injury. ‘I would say that the draw looks OK. For me, it is primarily about developing my confidence in matches once again after a long time away. I am fired up for the tournament and looking forward to playing in Saarbrücken again’, the 26 year old explains. Li is facing Disha Gupta from the USA in the first round.

New men’s doubles team: Seidel and Hess

The focal point of the men’s doubles this year will be the newly created duo of Marvin Seidel and Daniel Hess. Whilst Seidel reached the semi-final with Mark Lamsfuß last year, he will be lining up with a new partner this year due to Mark Lamsfuß suffering a knee injury. For Daniel Hess, who has already gained some experience on the World Tour, this is a particularly exciting and challenging task: ‘Daniel has developed fantastically well over the past year, and we have trained together a lot. We deliberately do not have high expectations, and will just be developing further from one game to the next’, Seidel explains. In the first round, the pair will be facing Hess’s former doubles partner Patrick Volkmann, who is now playing with Marvin Datko. ‘I would of course have preferred a different opponent, but I am just excited about the home tournament and want to spend as much time as possible on the court’, Hess says.

Exciting encounters in the men’s singles

There is also an exciting encounter in the men’s singles: Olympic athlete Fabian Roth is facing Mads Christophersen of Denmark in the first round. The pair know each other well from the Bundesliga, but their international scorecard currently stands 4:0 in favour of the Dane. This home tournament would be the perfect opportunity for Roth to even the balance somewhat.

Isabel Lohau on maternity leave

Unfortunately, Isabel Lohau – Germany’s most successful doubles and mixed doubles player – will not be appearing this year, as she is expecting her first child and has begun maternity leave. We would like to congratulate her on this wonderful news and wish her all the best.

Overview of other draws featuring German players

The full draw for the HYLO^® Badminton Open 2024 can be found here.