Fresh from finishing second at the Japan Open on Sunday, Khosit Phetpradab will be trying to go one step further at this week's China Open.
However, the 24-year-old Thai could not have asked for a tougher assignment as he will meet top-ranked Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the first round (last 32) of the US$1 million event today.
If the world No.26 upsets the Dane, he could meet Chinese great Lin Dan in the second round.
In Japan, Khosit defeated All England winner Shi Yuqi and Olympic champion Chen Long, both of China, on his way to the final.
He lost to home favourite Kento Momota, the newly-crowned world champion, in the title match.
Momota, seeded third this week, will face France's Brice Lverdez in the opening round.
Kantaphon Wangcharoen and Sappanyu Avihingsanon are the other two Thais in the men's singles competition at the China Open.
In the women's singles at the Olympic Sports Center Xincheng Gymnasium in Changzhou, Jiangsu, fourth seed Ratchanok Intanon will begin her campaign against Beiwen Zhang of the US.
Nitchaon Jindapol should have few problems in her first-round match against China's Cai Yanyan.
But if she gets past the first hurdle, she is likely to meet top seed Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan in the next round.
Busanan Ongbamrungphan faces Beatriz Corrales of Spain while Pornpawee Chochuwong is up against Soniia Cheah of Malaysia.
In-form Carolina Marin, who won the women's singles title in Japan, will take on Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt.
Spain's Marin is the reigning world and Olympic champion.
In the women's doubles, sixth seeds Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai will play Maiken Fruergaard and Sara Thygesen of Demark.
The BWF World Tour Super 1000 event ends on Sunday.
