Given his achievements and form this season, Denmark's Viktor Axelsen will be the man to beat at next week's World Championships in Tokyo.
However, the rest of the men's singles playing field, who include Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia and Ng Tze Yong, will be no pushovers.
Former world No 1 Lee Chong Wei believes both the Malaysians are on separate journeys to achieve greatness at the world meet.
The retired shuttler said: "Unlike previous editions, the world meet this time is an open affair.
"Yes, on paper, Axelsen is the man to beat, but I feel Zii Jia is not too far behind. He has had a great start to the year. I believe he is well-prepared for the World Championships after sitting out of the recent Commonwealth Games.
"On top of that, the draw looks good. I feel Zii Jia can mount a strong challenge for the title."
Meanwhile, Chong Wei noted that the narrative is not the same for Tze Yong, a last-minute inclusion following the withdrawal of Indonesia's Shesar Hiren Rhustavito.
Earlier this month, Tze Yong surprised everyone when he rose to the occasion to inspire the national squad to recapture the mixed team gold at the Commonwealth Games and then went on to win silver in the individual event.
The 22-year-old, who replaced Zii Jia at the quadrennial Games, stunned several big names like reigning world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore and India's Thomas Cup winner K.Srikanth en route to the final in Birmingham.
"The underdog tag will be Tze Yong's trump card at the World Championships. If he can do what he did at the Commonwealth, I will not be surprised if he stands on the podium at the end of the world meet.
"However, we should be realistic with our targets. Tze Yong definitely has the quality, but in terms of experience, he is not quite there yet with the big boys.
"In time, he can be a great player, no doubt about that, but for now, I would like to see him go out there and enjoy himself. He has nothing to lose, so that will be his greatest weapon," Chong Wei added.
The 40-year-old tipped Indonesia's Anthony Sinisuka Ginting and China's Shi Yuqi to be the other dark horses of the tournament.
However, he is unsure of Japan's Kento Momota, who has struggled to hit top form after his near-fatal accident two years ago in Kuala Lumpur.
Zii Jia, who has never gotten past the quarter-finals of the World Championships, will take on France's Brice Leverdez in the opening round.
Tze Yong, who is in the top half of the draw, will open his campaign against Malaysia Masters champion Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo of Indonesia.
Another Malaysian, Liew Daren, will take on world No 1 Axelsen in the first round.
