In an electrifying quarterfinal showdown at the BWF China Masters in Shenzhen, Shi Yuqi from the Chinese mainland secured his spot in the semifinals by defeating Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the silver medalist from the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Facing a raucous home crowd, Shi Yuqi delivered a masterful performance, overturning his previous Olympic defeat against Vitidsarn. The first game saw Shi narrowly take the lead with a score of 21-18 after Vitidsarn's crucial shot hit the net.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the second set as Shi surged ahead with an impressive 11-2 lead, ultimately dominating the match with a final score of 21-8. His decisive victory was met with cheers from the enthusiastic fans.
Reflecting on his strategy, Shi remarked, \"I knew I had to play differently this time. Adjusting my style to match my opponent's strengths was key. If I had followed his rhythm, it would have given him the advantage, so I focused on being patient and waiting for the right moments to seize control of the match.\"
Reference(s):
Shi Yuqi ousts Vitidsarn to advance to semifinals at BWF China Masters
cgtn.com
