BUKIT JALIL: World No 1 Kento Momota doesn’t like losing to the same opponent twice.
And the Japanese star hopes to get even with China’s Shi Yuqi in the Malaysia Masters at the Axiata Arena here.
After seeing off the World No 2 China ace for the World Championships crown in Nanjing, China, last August, Momota went down tamely (21-12, 21-11) to the same opponent in the final of the BWF World Tour Finals in Guangzhou, four months later.
In the Malaysia Masters, top seed Momota and second seed Yuqi are in separate halves of the draw, and they are only likely to cross paths in the final.
Japan head coach Park Joo Bong said: "Shi Yuqi is definitely another rival for Momota, and he was at his best in last year’s World Tour Finals. I was surprised, Momota was also surprised, he was too good in that tournament.
"Knowing that he has another rival is a motivation for Momota. He always wants to fight back.
"Before the World Tour Finals, Momota lost to Son Wan Ho (South Korea) in the Hong Kong Open semi-final, and he was eager to play him again. He always wants to fight back."
Momota, who bagged seven titles last season following a suspension, opens his campaign on Wednesday against compatriot Kenta Nishimoto, while Yuqi plays France's Brice Leverdez in the first round.
Other notable players in the top half of the draw include China Open champion Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia, Olympic champion Chen Long of China and defending champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.
"You can say that Momota does not like losing to the same opponent twice. Of course he can't be winning all the time but he is always motivated to fight back.
"He's got new rivals now, and he is aware," added Joo Bong.