Changzhou: Chou Tien Chen continued his remarkable China Open run by defeating fellow Taiwanese player Lin Chun-Yi in straight games to reach the men’s singles final.
The 36-year-old produced a controlled and tactically disciplined performance to win 21-18, 21-17, extending his winning streak against Lin to four consecutive matches.
Chou will now face France’s Toma Junior Popov, who recovered from a game down to eliminate Canada’s Victor Lai 14-21, 21-12, 21-15 in the other semifinal.Highlights of Chou Tien Chen vs. Lin Chun-Yi in the 2026 China Open semi-finals:
Chou Tien Chen Controls All-Taiwan Semifinal
Chou entered the semifinal with a 5-2 career advantage over Lin and had won their previous three meetings.
He immediately increased the pace and used a varied attacking approach to prevent the 26-year-old Lin from settling into his preferred rhythm.
Chou’s changes of direction, deceptive net shots and well-timed smashes repeatedly disrupted Lin’s attacking game. He opened a lead of as many as six points during the first game before Lin responded with longer rallies designed to test the veteran’s stamina.
Lin reduced the deficit to a single point, but Chou remained composed at 19-18. A decisive smash followed by a shot from Lin that landed outside the court gave Chou the final two points and the opening game 21-18.
Playing from the more favorable end in the second game, Chou controlled the tempo even more effectively. His combination of steep attacks and disguised soft shots forced Lin into several unforced errors as the lead grew to seven points.
Lin mounted another comeback and produced an 8-1 run to draw level. Chou responded immediately, winning five consecutive rallies to restore his advantage before closing out the match 21-17.
- Category: Men’s singles
- Result: Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan defeated Lin Chun-Yi of Taiwan 21-18, 21-17
- Head-to-head: Chou now leads 6-2 and has won their last four meetings
- Next opponent: Toma Junior Popov of France
- Next stage: China Open final
Chou Rebounds From Japan Open Disappointment
Chou’s run in Changzhou represents a major turnaround after he suffered an opening-round defeat at the Japan Open one week earlier.
He began his China Open campaign with a straight-game victory over Canada’s Brian Yang before defeating Japan’s Kodai Naraoka.
His biggest victory came in the quarterfinals, where he ended a nine-match losing streak against world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi with a 21-14, 12-21, 21-15 triumph.
Chou then overcame Lin in the all-Taiwan semifinal to reach his first final since winning the Arctic Open last October.
He will now attempt to capture his first title of the season at one of the BWF World Tour’s most prestigious Super 1000 badminton tournaments.
Toma Junior Popov Comes Back to Defeat Victor Lai
France’s Toma Junior Popov secured the other men’s singles final place after recovering from a difficult opening game against Canada’s Victor Lai.
Lai started confidently and took the first game 21-14, but Popov responded with a far more aggressive performance in the second.
The French player dominated that game 21-12 before maintaining his momentum in the decider. Popov gradually pulled away and completed the comeback 21-15.
- Category: Men’s singles
- Result: Toma Junior Popov of France defeated Victor Lai of Canada 14-21, 21-12, 21-15
- Next opponent: Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan
- Next stage: China Open final
China Open Men’s Singles Final
- Chou Tien Chen, Taiwan vs. Toma Junior Popov, France
The final will feature a contrast between Chou’s experience, endurance and tactical discipline and Popov’s physicality, attacking power and willingness to pressure opponents from the back court.
Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae Reach Men’s Doubles Final
South Korea’s top seeds Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae advanced to the men’s doubles final with a straight-game victory over England’s Ben Lane and Sean Vendy.
The Korean pair faced resistance in the opening game but remained composed during the closing rallies to take it 21-19. They then controlled the second game more comfortably, winning 21-13.
- Category: Men’s doubles
- Result: Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae (1) of South Korea defeated Ben Lane/Sean Vendy of England 21-19, 21-13
- Next opponents: Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (2) of Indonesia
Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Shohibul Fikri Edge Chinese Fourth Seeds
Indonesia’s second seeds Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri kept their title defense alive by defeating China’s fourth seeds Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in three games.
The Indonesians won a tight opening game 21-19 before Liang and Wang responded 21-14. Fajar and Fikri regained their attacking rhythm in the decider and secured another 21-19 victory.
- Category: Men’s doubles
- Result: Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (2) of Indonesia defeated Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang (4) of China 21-19, 14-21, 21-19
- Next opponents: Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae (1) of South Korea
China Open Men’s Doubles Final
- Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae (1), South Korea vs. Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (2), Indonesia
Chen Yu Fei Advances in Straight Games
China’s fourth seed Chen Yu Fei reached the women’s singles final after defeating Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki 21-17, 21-15.
Miyazaki stayed close during both games, but Chen’s consistency and control during the decisive rallies proved the difference.
- Category: Women’s singles
- Result: Chen Yu Fei (4) of China defeated Tomoka Miyazaki of Japan 21-17, 21-15
- Next opponent: Akane Yamaguchi (3) of Japan
Akane Yamaguchi Survives Three-Game Battle
Japan’s third seed Akane Yamaguchi booked her place in the final after overcoming China’s second seed Wang Zhi Yi in three contrasting games.
Yamaguchi dominated the opener 21-10, but Wang responded emphatically by taking the second game 21-6.
The Japanese former world champion recovered in the decider and secured a 21-16 victory to complete the match.
- Category: Women’s singles
- Result: Akane Yamaguchi (3) of Japan defeated Wang Zhi Yi (2) of China 21-10, 6-21, 21-16
- Next opponent: Chen Yu Fei (4) of China
China Open Women’s Singles Final
- Chen Yu Fei (4), China vs. Akane Yamaguchi (3), Japan
Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning Dominate Women’s Doubles Semifinal
China’s top seeds Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning delivered one of the most convincing semifinal performances by defeating South Korea’s third seeds Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee.
The defending champions controlled the match from the opening rallies and won 21-9, 21-10.
- Category: Women’s doubles
- Result: Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning (1) of China defeated Baek Ha Na/Lee So Hee (3) of South Korea 21-9, 21-10
- Next opponents: Yuki Fukushima/Mayu Matsumoto (4) of Japan
Fukushima-Matsumoto Complete Three-Game Comeback
Japan’s fourth seeds Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto recovered from a game down to defeat China’s eighth seeds Li Yi Jing and Luo Xu Min.
The Chinese pair won the opener 21-14, but Fukushima and Matsumoto responded by dominating the second game 21-9.
The Japanese combination maintained its momentum in the decider and secured the final game 21-15.
- Category: Women’s doubles
- Result: Yuki Fukushima/Mayu Matsumoto (4) of Japan defeated Li Yi Jing/Luo Xu Min (8) of China 14-21, 21-9, 21-15
- Next opponents: Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning (1) of China
China Open Women’s Doubles Final
- Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning (1), China vs. Yuki Fukushima/Mayu Matsumoto (4), Japan
Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping Reach Mixed Doubles Final
China’s top seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping defeated France’s sixth seeds Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue in straight games.
The French pair stayed competitive during the opening game, but Feng and Huang managed the final points better to win it 21-19. The Chinese combination then pulled away in the second game, taking it 21-14.
- Category: Mixed doubles
- Result: Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (1) of China defeated Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue (6) of France 21-19, 21-14
- Next opponents: Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui (5) of China
Guo Xin Wa-Chen Fang Hui Edge Thai Fourth Seeds
China’s fifth seeds Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui secured the second mixed doubles final place with a close straight-game victory over Thailand’s fourth seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran.
Guo and Chen edged the opening game 23-21 before closing out the second 21-19.
- Category: Mixed doubles
- Result: Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui (5) of China defeated Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Supissara Paewsampran (4) of Thailand 23-21, 21-19
- Next opponents: Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (1) of China
All-Chinese Mixed Doubles Final Confirmed
- Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (1), China vs. Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui (5), China
China is guaranteed the mixed doubles title after both home pairs successfully advanced from the semifinals.
China Open Finals Set After Dramatic Semifinal Day
Chou Tien Chen’s victory over Lin Chun-Yi was the leading badminton news story from the semifinal stage, with the 36-year-old continuing an impressive recovery after his early exit in Japan.
He now stands one victory away from his first title of the season, but Toma Junior Popov will enter the final with confidence after recovering strongly against Victor Lai.
Elsewhere, Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae will face defending champions Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in a high-quality men’s doubles final.
Chen Yu Fei and Akane Yamaguchi will renew their rivalry in women’s singles, while Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning meet Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto in women’s doubles.
The final mixed doubles match will be an all-Chinese contest between Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping and Guo Xin Wa-Chen Fang Hui, guaranteeing the host nation at least one China Open badminton title.
