Macau: China’s Hu Zhe An delivered a strong response under pressure to win the Macau Open men’s singles title, capturing the first Super 300 crown of his career after a three-game comeback on Sunday.
The 19-year-old Chinese shuttler, ranked world No. 48, defeated Thailand’s Kantaphon Wangcharoen 11-21, 21-10, 21-13 in the men’s singles final, turning the match around after a difficult opening game.
It was the second meeting between Hu and Kantaphon this year. Hu had previously beaten the Thai player in straight games at the Asian Junior Team Championships in Qingdao. Four months later, the 2024 World Junior Championships men’s singles champion once again found a way to win, this time on a bigger senior stage.
Hu Zhe An Recovers After Slow Start
Kantaphon, ranked world No. 66, started the final with more control and confidence. The Thai player kept the rallies tight, forced Hu into uncomfortable positions, and took the opening game comfortably 21-11.
The second game also began badly for Hu as Kantaphon raced to a 4-0 lead. But the Chinese youngster slowly worked his way back into the match, showing better patience and sharper attacking timing.
After drawing level at 7-7, Hu produced a decisive 9-1 scoring run to move ahead 16-8. That burst completely changed the direction of the final. From there, he stayed in command and closed out the second game 21-10.
Hu carried the momentum into the deciding game, building an 11-4 lead at the interval. Kantaphon tried to recover after the change of ends and reduced the gap to 13-17, but Hu remained calm during the final stretch.
A series of errors from Kantaphon gave Hu match point at 20-13, before the Chinese player sealed the victory with a powerful attacking shot to complete the comeback.
First Super 300 Milestone for Hu Zhe An
The Macau Open title is an important step in Hu Zhe An’s development from junior standout to senior-level contender.
After winning the 2024 World Junior Championships, Hu has been viewed as one of China’s most promising young men’s singles players. His performance in Macau showed not only his technical ability, but also his mental strength after losing the first game heavily.
By beating Kantaphon in the final and holding his nerve in the deciding game, Hu claimed his first Super 300 title and added another major achievement to his rising badminton career.
Jin Yong-Lee Jong Min Win Men’s Doubles Crown
South Korea’s Jin Yong and Lee Jong Min captured the men’s doubles title after coming from behind against Indonesia’s fourth seeds Ali Faathir Rayhan and Devin Artha Wahyudi.
The Korean pair lost the opening game but recovered strongly to win 18-21, 21-19, 21-10.
After edging a tense second game, Jin and Lee took full control of the decider. Their attacking rhythm improved, while the Indonesian pair struggled to maintain the same level of resistance in the final game.
Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin Claim First Title of 2026
China’s Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin also returned to the winner’s circle by taking the mixed doubles title.
After a short period apart, the world No. 2 pair reunited for the Macau Open and made an immediate impact. As the top seeds, Jiang and Wei advanced to the final before defeating Hong Kong’s fifth seeds Chan Yin Chak and Ng Tsz Yau 21-14, 21-14.
The Chinese pair looked steady throughout the final, controlling both games with cleaner rotations and sharper front-court pressure.
The victory gave Jiang and Wei their first title of 2026 and their first championship together since last year’s Arctic Open, ending an eight-month title wait as a partnership.
Bao Li Jing-Cao Zi Han Win All-Chinese Women’s Doubles Final
China added another title in women’s doubles, where Bao Li Jing and Cao Zi Han won an all-Chinese final against Chen Fan Shu Tian and Liu Jia Yue.
Bao and Cao, who had beaten Malaysia’s second seeds Ong Xin Yee and Carmen Ting in the semifinals, completed their title run with a 21-18, 21-10 victory in 46 minutes.
The opening game was competitive, but Bao and Cao handled the key rallies better. Once they took the first game, they became more dominant in the second and closed out the match with greater authority.
The win gave Bao and Cao their second World Tour title of the season, following their earlier success at the Thailand Open.
Kim Ga Eun Ends Long Title Drought
In women’s singles, South Korea’s Kim Ga Eun won the title after defeating teammate Park Ga Eun in an all-Korean final.
The top seed recorded a 21-16, 21-13 victory in the first international meeting between the two Korean players.
Kim used her experience well, staying composed in both games and controlling the pace at the important moments. The victory marked her first World Tour title since the Korea Open in August 2024, ending a title drought of nearly 22 months.
Macau Open Produces Major Badminton News
The Macau Open final day delivered several important badminton news storylines, led by Hu Zhe An’s first Super 300 men’s singles title.
For Hu, the comeback win over Kantaphon Wangcharoen was more than just another tournament victory. It was a sign that the young Chinese player is beginning to translate his junior success into senior results on the BWF World Tour.
China also enjoyed a strong finish in Macau with titles in mixed doubles and women’s doubles, while South Korea took the women’s singles and men’s doubles crowns.
With Hu Zhe An now a Super 300 champion, his next challenge will be building consistency and proving that this breakthrough can lead to deeper runs at higher-level badminton tournaments.
