Jayce
Following the Paris Olympics, Olympic champions Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan applied for ranking protection, meaning they may partner with other players in international competitions for the next 3 to 12 months. During Chen’s break, Jia Yifan teamed up with Li Wenmei to reach the semifinals at the Hong Kong Open. On the evening of September 20, she joined forces with Zheng Yu and advanced to the semifinals of the China Open. The “Happy Duo” joked after the match that their goal was to compete for the $140,000 prize.
After a straightforward victory (21-14, 21-11) against Korea’s new pairing Lee Yu Rim/Shin Seung Chan to secure a spot in the semifinals, Jia Yifan and Zheng Yu felt relatively relaxed. Jia remarked, “Compared to the first match (where they won 21-9, 22-20 against Song Shuoyun/Yu Qianhui), my partner (Zheng Yu) didn’t even blush this time!”
Although this was their first time playing together, the two, known for their off-court sense of humor, became serious as soon as they stepped on the court, displaying remarkable chemistry. Jia commented, “Off the court, we’re constantly joking around and never discuss badminton. But it’s strange—once we’re on the court, we become very serious. Perhaps it’s because we share the same dedication to our careers and have higher ambitions.” However, Jia also mentioned that their pairing is a “seasonal collaboration,” and she hopes to team up with Chen Qingchen again for the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou.
