Changzhou, on the Chinese mainland – Under the bright lights of the Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre, China’s top-ranked Shi Yuqi staged a masterclass in resilience, storming back from a game down to defeat compatriot Li Shifeng and book his place in the men’s singles semifinals at the BWF China Open.
Li Shifeng came out firing, seizing the first game 21-15 with aggressive drives and sharp net play. But Shi, now World No. 2, tightened his defense in the second game, matching Li’s score 21-15 to level the match. In the decider, he dominated 21-11, completing a thrilling turnaround.
Up next for Shi is Chinese Taipei’s veteran Chou Tien-chen, who earlier stunned Thailand’s World No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-17, 21-11 to reach the semis.
Women’s Singles Highlights
In the women’s draw, second-seeded Wang Zhiyi maintained her momentum with a straight-sets win over Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Pin-Chian. After taking the opener 21-16, Wang unleashed a 10-point run in game two to seal a 21-11 victory. She will face Japan’s third-seeded Akane Yamaguchi for a spot in the final.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Paris Olympic champion An Se-young edged out China’s Tokyo Games champion Chen Yufei in a tense duel. An took the first game 21-18, and despite a late rally from Chen to 19-19 in the second, An closed it out 21-19. An’s semifinal opponent will be China’s fourth seed Han Yue, who beat Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska Tunjung 21-19, 21-18.
With the semifinals set, Changzhou is primed for high-stakes battles. Can Shi Yuqi maintain his winning streak? Will Wang or An seize the title? Fans around the world are in for an electrifying finish at the 2024 China Open.
Reference(s):
China Open roundup: Shi Yuqi stages comeback to advance to semifinals
cgtn.com
