Shenzhen: Shi Yuqi successfully avenged his Paris Olympic loss by defeating Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-18, 21-8 on Friday.
Highlights of Shi Yuqi vs. Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the 2024 China Masters quarterfinal:
Shi Yuqi who lost to Vitidsarn 12-21, 10-21 in the Paris Olympics quarterfinals, showed a revitalized form at the 2024 China Masters with sharper smashes in the quarterfinal match. His performance was clearly at a different level compared to the slump he experienced after the Paris Olympics. With this win, Shi advances to face Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie in the semifinals, who defeated China’s Lei Lan Xi 21-17, 21-17 in another quarterfinal.
Meanwhile, Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen and Anders Antonsen each secured 2-0 victories over Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long and India’s Lakshya Sen, respectively, setting up a Danish derby in the other men’s singles semifinal on Saturday.
In the women’s singles quarterfinals, China’s Gao Fang Jie defeated Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong 21-14, 21-18 to reach her first semifinal at a BWF 750-level tournament. Gao will face another Thai player, Supanida Katethong, in the semifinals.
Korea’s Olympic gold medalist – An Se Young, dominated the other women’s singles quarterfinal match from start to finish, beating Zhang Yiman of China 21-11, 21-11. This marks An’s eighth semifinal appearance this season, including her Paris Olympic triumph. She will next face Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki, whom she previously defeated in a three-game battle at the Indonesia Open earlier this year.
Notably, An Se Young, who had previously shown a strained relationship with her coach, appeared more composed and shared a celebratory moment with coach Sung Ji Hyun after her victory, signaling improved camaraderie.
In men’s doubles, both Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik and Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin of Malaysia crashed out of the tournament on Friday.
