Changzhou: Chou Tien Chen produced one of the biggest victories of the China Open by defeating world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi in three games, ending a nine-match losing streak against the Chinese star.
The 36-year-old Taiwanese player recovered from a difficult start to claim a 21-14, 12-21, 21-15 victory in the men’s singles quarterfinals of the BWF World Tour Super 1000 tournament.
Chou will next face compatriot Lin Chun-Yi, who defeated China’s Weng Hong Yang 27-25, 21-14. The result guarantees Taiwan a representative in the men’s singles final and also ends China’s challenge in the category.
In the lower half of the draw, Canada’s Victor Lai will face France’s Toma Junior Popov after both players recorded impressive quarterfinal victories.
Chou Tien Chen Ends Nine-Match Losing Streak Against Shi Yu Qi
Chou entered the quarterfinal with a difficult record against Shi, having lost their previous nine meetings.
The two had faced each other 20 times before Friday’s match, with Chou winning only five. His most recent victory had come during the men’s team competition at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Shi appeared ready to extend his dominance when he established a 13-6 lead in the opening game. Chou, however, refused to allow the contest to slip away.
The Taiwanese veteran relied on disciplined defense, changes of direction and patient rally construction to force Shi into increasingly difficult positions. As the Chinese top seed began making mistakes, Chou put together an extraordinary run of points.
From 6-13 down, Chou produced a 15-1 surge to transform the opening game and win it 21-14.
Shi responded strongly after the change of ends. Chou committed more unforced errors and quickly fell behind 5-11 before the world No. 1 pulled away to take the second game 21-12.
The deciding game brought another change in momentum. Chou rediscovered the control and attacking confidence he had shown during the second half of the opener.
He took an 11-7 lead into the interval and continued moving Shi around the court with accurate placement and sudden changes of pace. Chou opened a seven-point advantage at one stage before earning five match points at 20-15.
A decisive smash completed the victory, sending Chou into the semifinals with a 21-14, 12-21, 21-15 win.
- Category: Men’s singles
- Result: Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan defeated top seed Shi Yu Qi of China 21-14, 12-21, 21-15
- World ranking: Chou is ranked No. 6; Shi is world No. 1
- Previous head-to-head: Shi led 15-5 before the match
- Next opponent: Lin Chun-Yi of Taiwan
Shi Yu Qi Praises Chou’s Fitness and Fighting Spirit
After the match, Shi expressed admiration for Chou’s ability to remain competitive at 36 years old.
The Chinese star praised Chou’s physical condition and willingness to fight for every rally, qualities that allowed the Taiwanese player to recover from difficult positions and maintain his intensity deep into the deciding game.
Chou’s China Open run has been a major response to last week’s disappointment at the Japan Open, where he was eliminated in the first round.
Chou has defeated Canada’s Brian Yang, Japan’s Kodai Naraoka and now Shi Yu Qi during his campaign in Changzhou.
Lin Chun-Yi Saves Six Game Points Against Weng Hong Yang
Lin Chun-Yi secured the other place in the all-Taiwan semifinal with a straight-game victory over China’s Weng Hong Yang.
The opening game developed into a dramatic contest. Lin struggled with unnecessary errors and fell behind 17-20, giving Weng three opportunities to close out the game.
Lin remained composed and gradually erased the deficit. During an extended finish, he saved a total of six game points before moving ahead 26-25.
The Taiwanese left-hander then produced a sharp cross-court smash to seal the opening game 27-25.
Lin carried the momentum into the second game, winning the opening four rallies. Weng reduced the deficit and trailed only 10-11 at the interval, but Lin’s attacking pressure became increasingly difficult to contain.
Several powerful smashes allowed Lin to open a more comfortable advantage before he completed the victory 21-14.
- Category: Men’s singles
- Result: Lin Chun-Yi of Taiwan defeated Weng Hong Yang of China 27-25, 21-14
- World ranking: Lin is ranked No. 13
- Next opponent: Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan
Lin Chun-Yi Returns to Form After Injury Problems
Lin has already won two major titles this season, capturing the India Open and All England Open championships.
His recent results had been affected by injury, and he suffered an opening-round defeat at the Japan Open last week.
Lin has responded strongly in Changzhou. Before defeating Weng, he eliminated China’s Lu Guang Zu and newly crowned Japan Open champion Christo Popov of France.
The quarterfinal result also marked Lin’s second consecutive victory over Weng. He previously defeated the Chinese player in straight games at the German Open in February, ending a five-match losing streak in their rivalry.
All-Taiwan Men’s Singles Semifinal Confirmed
Chou and Lin will now meet for a place in the China Open final.
The match presents a contrast in experience and playing style. Chou brings years of major-tournament experience, physical endurance and defensive discipline, while Lin possesses explosive attacking power and one of the most dangerous left-handed offenses in men’s singles badminton.
- Semifinal: Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan vs. Lin Chun-Yi of Taiwan
- Significance: Taiwan is guaranteed a men’s singles finalist
Victor Lai Defeats Jonatan Christie
Watch highlights of Victor Lai vs. Jonatan Christie in the men’s singles semi-finals:
In the lower half of the men’s singles draw, Canada’s Victor Lai continued his breakthrough tournament by defeating Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie in straight games.
Lai controlled the quarterfinal with an assured performance, winning 21-14, 21-17.
The Canadian prevented Christie from developing a consistent attacking rhythm and remained composed when the Indonesian attempted to close the gap in the second game.
- Category: Men’s singles
- Result: Victor Lai of Canada defeated Jonatan Christie of Indonesia 21-14, 21-17
- Next opponent: Toma Junior Popov of France
Toma Junior Popov Recovers to Beat Nhat Nguyen
France’s Toma Junior Popov secured the final men’s singles semifinal place after recovering from a game down against Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen.
Nguyen dominated the opening game 21-12, but Popov responded by taking control of the second 21-10.
The French player maintained his momentum in the deciding game and completed the comeback 21-15.
- Category: Men’s singles
- Result: Toma Junior Popov of France defeated Nhat Nguyen of Ireland 12-21, 21-10, 21-15
- Next opponent: Victor Lai of Canada
China Open Men’s Singles Semifinals
- Chou Tien Chen, Taiwan vs. Lin Chun-Yi, Taiwan
- Victor Lai, Canada vs. Toma Junior Popov, France
Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae Reach Men’s Doubles Semifinals
In men’s doubles, South Korea’s top seeds Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae advanced with a straight-game victory over China’s seventh seeds Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi.
The Korean world No. 1 pair won 21-13, 21-17 and will next face England’s Ben Lane and Sean Vendy.
- Category: Men’s doubles
- Result: Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae (1) of South Korea defeated Chen Bo Yang/Liu Yi (7) of China 21-13, 21-17
- Next opponents: Ben Lane/Sean Vendy of England
Ben Lane-Sean Vendy Eliminate Japanese Pair
England’s Ben Lane and Sean Vendy needed three games to defeat Japan’s Kakeru Kumagai and Hiroki Nishi.
Lane and Vendy dominated the opening game 21-9 before the Japanese pair responded by taking the second 21-18.
The English combination recovered in the decider and completed the victory 21-17.
- Category: Men’s doubles
- Result: Ben Lane/Sean Vendy of England defeated Kakeru Kumagai/Hiroki Nishi of Japan 21-9, 18-21, 21-17
- Next opponents: Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae (1) of South Korea
Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang Advance in Straight Games
China’s fourth seeds Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang defeated Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard 21-11, 22-20.
The Chinese pair controlled the opening game but faced a much stronger challenge in the second. They stayed composed during the extended finish to avoid a deciding game.
- Category: Men’s doubles
- Result: Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang (4) of China defeated Daniel Lundgaard/Mads Vestergaard of Denmark 21-11, 22-20
- Next opponents: Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (2) of Indonesia
Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Shohibul Fikri Continue Title Defense
Indonesia’s second seeds and defending champions Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri defeated South Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk and Ki Dong Ju 21-15, 21-13.
The Indonesians will next face Liang and Wang for a place in the final.
- Category: Men’s doubles
- Result: Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (2) of Indonesia defeated Kang Min Hyuk/Ki Dong Ju of South Korea 21-15, 21-13
- Next opponents: Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang (4) of China
China Open Men’s Doubles Semifinals
- Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae (1), South Korea vs. Ben Lane/Sean Vendy, England
- Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang (4), China vs. Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (2), Indonesia
Chen Yu Fei Comes From Behind Against Ratchanok Intanon
China’s fourth seed Chen Yu Fei recovered from a game down to defeat Thailand’s seventh seed Ratchanok Intanon in the women’s singles quarterfinals.
Ratchanok took the opening game 21-15, but Chen responded with greater consistency to win the next two games 21-12, 21-13.
- Category: Women’s singles
- Result: Chen Yu Fei (4) of China defeated Ratchanok Intanon (7) of Thailand 15-21, 21-12, 21-13
- Next opponent: Tomoka Miyazaki of Japan
Tomoka Miyazaki Defeats Putri Kusuma Wardani
Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki also came from behind to defeat Indonesia’s sixth seed Putri Kusuma Wardani.
Putri won the opening game 21-16, but Miyazaki dominated the next two, taking them 21-11, 21-9.
- Category: Women’s singles
- Result: Tomoka Miyazaki of Japan defeated Putri Kusuma Wardani (6) of Indonesia 16-21, 21-11, 21-9
- Next opponent: Chen Yu Fei (4) of China
Akane Yamaguchi Survives Han Yue Test
Japan’s third seed Akane Yamaguchi needed three games to overcome China’s fifth seed Han Yue.
Yamaguchi won the opening game 21-16 before Han responded 21-14. The Japanese former world champion recovered to take the deciding game 21-17.
- Category: Women’s singles
- Result: Akane Yamaguchi (3) of Japan defeated Han Yue (5) of China 21-16, 14-21, 21-17
- Next opponent: Wang Zhi Yi (2) of China
Wang Zhi Yi Advances in Straight Games
China’s second seed Wang Zhi Yi secured her semifinal place with a 21-18, 21-14 victory over South Korea’s Kim Ga Eun.
- Category: Women’s singles
- Result: Wang Zhi Yi (2) of China defeated Kim Ga Eun of South Korea 21-18, 21-14
- Next opponent: Akane Yamaguchi (3) of Japan
China Open Women’s Singles Semifinals
- Chen Yu Fei (4), China vs. Tomoka Miyazaki, Japan
- Akane Yamaguchi (3), Japan vs. Wang Zhi Yi (2), China
Pearly Tan-Thinaah Eliminated in Women’s Doubles Quarterfinals
Malaysia’s fifth seeds Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan saw their China Open campaign end against Japan’s Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto.
The Japanese fourth seeds defeated the Malaysians 21-16, 21-16 to advance to the semifinals.
- Category: Women’s doubles
- Result: Yuki Fukushima/Mayu Matsumoto (4) of Japan defeated Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan (5) of Malaysia 21-16, 21-16
- Next opponents: Li Yi Jing/Luo Xu Min (8) of China
Li Yi Jing-Luo Xu Min Reach Last Four
China’s eighth seeds Li Yi Jing and Luo Xu Min defeated Indonesia’s Rachel Allessya Rose and Febi Setianingrum 21-18, 21-18.
- Category: Women’s doubles
- Result: Li Yi Jing/Luo Xu Min (8) of China defeated Rachel Allessya Rose/Febi Setianingrum of Indonesia 21-18, 21-18
- Next opponents: Yuki Fukushima/Mayu Matsumoto (4) of Japan
Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee Survive Extended Second Game
South Korea’s third seeds Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee advanced after defeating Japan’s seventh seeds Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi.
The Koreans dominated the opening game 21-8 before surviving a marathon second game 26-24.
- Category: Women’s doubles
- Result: Baek Ha Na/Lee So Hee (3) of South Korea defeated Rin Iwanaga/Kie Nakanishi (7) of Japan 21-8, 26-24
- Next opponents: Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning (1) of China
China’s top seeds Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning also advanced after defeating Thailand’s Benyapa Aimsaard and Nuntakarn Aimsaard. The score was not visible in the supplied tournament bracket.
China Open Women’s Doubles Semifinals
- Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning (1), China vs. Baek Ha Na/Lee So Hee (3), South Korea
- Yuki Fukushima/Mayu Matsumoto (4), Japan vs. Li Yi Jing/Luo Xu Min (8), China
Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping Cruise Into Mixed Doubles Semifinals
China’s top seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping defeated Taiwan’s Yang Po-Hsuan and Hu Ling Fang 21-15, 21-11.
- Category: Mixed doubles
- Result: Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (1) of China defeated Yang Po-Hsuan/Hu Ling Fang of Taiwan 21-15, 21-11
- Next opponents: Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue (6) of France
Gicquel-Delrue Edge Danish Third Seeds
France’s sixth seeds Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue defeated Denmark’s third seeds Mathias Christiansen and Alexandra Bøje 24-22, 21-16.
- Category: Mixed doubles
- Result: Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue (6) of France defeated Mathias Christiansen/Alexandra Bøje (3) of Denmark 24-22, 21-16
- Next opponents: Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (1) of China
Dechapol-Supissara Beat Japanese Pair in Three Games
Thailand’s fourth seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran defeated Japan’s Yuta Watanabe and Maya Taguchi in a closely contested three-game quarterfinal.
The Thai pair won 21-11, 19-21, 21-19.
- Category: Mixed doubles
- Result: Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Supissara Paewsampran (4) of Thailand defeated Yuta Watanabe/Maya Taguchi of Japan 21-11, 19-21, 21-19
- Next opponents: Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui (5) of China
Guo Xin Wa-Chen Fang Hui Upset Chinese Second Seeds
China’s fifth seeds Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui recovered from a game down to defeat second-seeded teammates Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin.
Guo and Chen won 14-21, 21-18, 21-18 to move into the semifinals.
- Category: Mixed doubles
- Result: Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui (5) of China defeated Jiang Zhen Bang/Wei Ya Xin (2) of China 14-21, 21-18, 21-18
- Next opponents: Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Supissara Paewsampran (4) of Thailand
China Open Mixed Doubles Semifinals
- Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (1), China vs. Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue (6), France
- Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Supissara Paewsampran (4), Thailand vs. Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui (5), China
Taiwan Takes Center Stage in China Open Badminton Semifinals
Chou Tien Chen’s victory over Shi Yu Qi delivered the biggest badminton news of the quarterfinal stage, ending a nine-match losing streak and removing the world No. 1 from the tournament.
Lin Chun-Yi then completed a memorable day for Taiwan by eliminating Weng Hong Yang, guaranteeing the island a place in the men’s singles final.
China’s men’s singles campaign may be over, but the host nation remains strongly represented across women’s singles and all three doubles categories.
Attention will now turn to whether Chou’s experience or Lin’s attacking power will prevail in the all-Taiwan semifinal, while Victor Lai and Toma Junior Popov battle for the other place in the China Open men’s singles final.
