KUALA LUMPUR: Denmark's Anders Antonsen is enjoying a great run of form this season and is seen as among the favourites to clinch the men's singles gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
However, the reigning European champion remains modest.
Following a shocking first-round exit at the recent Thailand Open in Bangkok, the world No. 4 hopes to quickly bounce back at the Malaysia Masters, which starts on Tuesday at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil.
"I think I am in a good place. Overall, I'm doing very well this year.
"Although I lost last week, I am still in a very good spot.
"I know I'm among the players capable of doing well in tournaments.
"However, there are so many players in men's singles now. It's a whole different game, and I won't be surprised if a No. 20 player wins it," said Antonsen, who will face a qualifier in the opening round on Wednesday.
Separately, Antonsen also shared why he likes returning to Malaysia to train before major tournaments in the region.
Antonsen, who first made Malaysia his training base in December last year prior to the World Tour Finals in China, added: "I have been training here since the Thomas Cup, and it's good. I always have a good experience.
"I like to practice here because a group of younger guys always push me very hard. I like to do my best to beat them every time, but really, it's fun to play different players."
Apart from winning the Malaysia Open, the 27-year-old also bagged the Indonesia Masters in January.
He then went on to be crowned European champion in April and is the only Danish men's singles player to remain unbeaten in both the European Team Championships (February) and the Thomas Cup (May).
"I didn't do as well as I had hoped at the French Open and All England, but still won the European Championships and remained undefeated in the European Team Championships and Thomas Cup.
"So far, I have 30 wins and three losses this year. I still feel that is very good. At the start of the year, I won 16 matches in a row. You can't expect to continue forever, so I'm realistic about it.
"There is still plenty of confidence, and I hope to continue going down this good path," Antonsen added.
Other notable names in the men's singles draw at the Malaysia Masters include reigning Olympic champion and world No.1 Viktor Axelsen, Asian Games champion Li Shi Feng and newly crowned Thailand Open champion Lee Zii Jia.
