In a surprising turn at the China Open, mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron and Cheng Su Yin defeated Taiwan’s Yang Po-hsuan and Hu Ling-fang, ranked 13th in the world. The Malaysian duo, ranked 32nd, won 21-17, 21-16 in just 28 minutes at the Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium in Changzhou.
Pang Ron and Su Yin, who have only been playing together since November, managed to pressure their higher-ranked opponents by controlling the shuttle better. Despite their recent rise from 40th to 32nd after a strong performance at the Hong Kong Open, they acknowledge that they still have much to learn.
The pair will face compatriots Yap Roy King and Valeree Siow in the second round after receiving a first-round bye. They anticipate a challenging match but are eager to demonstrate their growing chemistry on court.
In other news, Tan Kian Meng and Lai Pei Jing also advanced to the second round, defeating India’s Sumeeth Reddy and Sikki Reddy 21-10, 21-16. They will next compete against Denmark’s Jesper Toft and Amalie Magelund.
Ties van der Lecq and Brian Wassink claimed the men’s doubles title at the 2024 Belgian International in Leuven. The Dutch duo (WR-92) triumphed in a thrilling final, defeating the French pair Julien Maio and William Villeger (WR-143) with scores of 21-17 and 22-20.
This victory marks the first international title for Van der Lecq and Wassink.
The 2024 VICTOR China Open has kicked off, and the first-round matches were fiercely contested.
French player Christo Popov fought hard in an intense match against Chinese Taipei’s Wang Tzu Wei, dragging the game into three sets but ultimately losing with a score of 14-21, 21-12, 19-21. Both Christo and his brother Toma Junior Popov also exited early in the men’s doubles event.
Other European players, such as Mia Blichfeldt from Denmark and the Ukrainian pair Oleksii Titov and Yevheniia Kantemyr, also saw their Super 1000 campaigns end prematurely.
Thankfully, there were some uplifting victories during the day. Danish player Line Højmark Kjærsfeldt, who had a strong run in last week’s Hong Kong quarterfinals, opened her China campaign with a comfortable win.
In the doubles events, European players secured a few wins; England’s Ben Lane and Sean Vendy battled through three sets to defeat Malaysia’s Low Hang Yee and Ng Eng Cheong 18-21, 21-19, 21-15. Likewise, Denmark’s Mads Vestergaard and Christine Busch, as well as 8th seeds Rasmus Kjær and Frederik Søgaard, secured victories alongside Ukraine’s Polina Buhrova and Yevheniia Kantemyr.
Guo Xinwa recently finished as runner-up at the Korea Open with Li Qian. However, this week at the 2024 China Badminton Open, he partnered with Chen Fanghui. Unfortunately, the duo lost 1-2 to the Danish pair Mads/Boje in the first round.
After the match, Guo Xinwa posted an apology: “The Changzhou Open ended today, and I’m sorry I couldn’t win the match and disappointed everyone. I really wanted to perform well in front of my home crowd and deliver an exciting match, but I have to accept the loss, regroup, and prepare for the upcoming tournaments. Thank you to everyone who came to cheer for me at the venue and for those who continue to support me. I wish everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival.”
On September 18, in the first round of the 2024 China Badminton Open, 4th seed Li Shifeng continued his poor form, losing 0-2 (17-21, 18-21) to Chou Tien Chen, suffering another early exit.
In the BWF men’s singles rankings, Li Shifeng is ranked 4th, while veteran Chou Tien Chen is 9th. In this new Los Angeles Olympic cycle, Li Shifeng’s first home tournament ended in a first-round exit, undoubtedly leaving him disappointed.
In the first game, the two were tied at 15-15 after a close start, but Li Shifeng made several unforced errors, allowing Chou to pull ahead 18-15. At this point, Li’s nerves got the better of him, leading to consecutive mistakes, and he lost the game 17-21.
In the second game, Chou came out strong, leading 9-1 and 12-2. Li Shifeng fought back to 15-15 and later to 18-18, but unfortunately, Chou was more confident in the critical points, and Li eventually lost the match.
Although the two games were close, Li Shifeng admitted afterward that Chou’s aggressive style put him on the defensive. He had chances to come back after 11 points but made too many mistakes during key moments, affecting his mentality. Li Shifeng has been struggling with poor results for more than half a year and hopes to regain his confidence in this new Olympic cycle.
After two days of matches, the round of 16 has been determined for all events at the 2024 China Badminton Open. Both the men’s and women’s singles saw several upsets, with two former world No. 1 players being eliminated in the first round, and six seeded players failing to advance. The doubles events faced an awkward situation with 12 byes and four withdrawals.
In men’s singles, the former world No. 1 eliminated was Viktor Axelsen, who lost after a tough 3-game match to Chinese youngster Lei Lanxi, 19-21, 21-17, 16-21. Besides second seed Axelsen’s early exit, fourth seed Li Shifeng of China lost 17-21, 18-21 to Taiwanese veteran Chou Tien Chen, failing to make it to the round of 16. Third seed Lee Zii Jia suffered his most humiliating defeat, losing 15-21, 2-21 to Japan’s Koki Watanabe, marking the lowest score in China Open history and Lee’s personal lowest in recent years.
In women’s singles, Tai Tzu Ying was the player eliminated. She battled Denmark’s Line Christophersen in a three-game thriller but ultimately lost 14-21, 21-7, 19-21. With this first-round exit, Tai’s hopes of reaching the World Tour Finals are now in serious jeopardy.
The mixed doubles category saw a significant number of withdrawals, leading to an unusual situation. After Jiang Zhenbang/Wei Yaxin won 21-19, 21-13 against Chiu Hsiang Chieh/Lin Zhi Yun, they automatically advanced to the quarterfinals due to a lack of opponents, having only played one match. The mixed doubles event saw four first-round byes and three withdrawals, while the women’s doubles had an astonishing eight byes and one withdrawal. It’s hard to believe this is happening in a top-tier BWF World Tour 1000 event. The reason behind this is the reorganization of women’s and mixed doubles pairs by many teams.
In the first round of the 2024 China Badminton Open men’s singles yesterday, Viktor Axelsen faced Lei Lanxi. Right at the start, Axelsen showcased his signature swaying serve. However, the referee wasn’t lenient this time and immediately penalized him a point.
It’s well known that Axelsen often sways side to side during his serve, something that has irritated many players.
Last week, during the quarterfinals of the 2024 Hong Kong Badminton Open, Axelsen played against Chou Tien Chen. At 11-13 in the second game, Chou mimicked Axelsen’s serve by dramatically swaying side to side and pausing for two seconds before serving, showing his discontent.
Although the Badminton World Federation (BWF) doesn’t have specific rules about serve duration, referees have discretionary power. In this match, Irish referee Mois Halpin clearly didn’t want to indulge Axelsen. According to Danish media reports, this is the first time Axelsen’s signature serve has been penalized.
Axelsen immediately approached the referee to argue, to which Halpin responded, “Your serve took too long!”
Axelsen’s serve this time took 4 seconds, which led to the penalty. In the past, his serves had sometimes taken even longer without penalties. This time, even Danish media outlet TV2 didn’t side with Axelsen, with a badminton commentator pointing out that Axelsen had been pushing the limits of the rules for a long time. The BWF seems keen to crack down on such serving behaviors, and the referee’s decision serves as a warning to Axelsen that this issue is now on their radar.
After losing the point due to his serve at the beginning, Axelsen noticeably sped up his serves for the rest of the match.
Li-Ning continues to lead the way in badminton innovation, and their 2024 high-end rackets are no exception. Each of these top five rackets combines advanced technology with excellent performance, designed for players who demand the best. Here’s a closer look at the top five Li-Ning rackets you should consider this year:
The Halbertec 9000 stands out with its striking green and purple design. This racket is engineered for aggressive play, featuring a lightweight frame that enhances both speed and power. It’s an ideal choice for players who want to dominate the court with quick, powerful shots.
The Halbertec 8000 offers a great blend of speed and control. The vibrant blue and pink colors add a touch of style, while the racket’s lightweight build is perfect for fast, responsive play. It’s an excellent option for players who excel in doubles and need a racket that can keep up with their rapid movements.
The Axforce 90 Dragon Max is known for its impressive power and precision. The navy blue design gives it a bold, commanding presence. This racket is designed for players who prefer a powerful attacking style, offering enhanced performance for aggressive gameplay.
The Aeronaut 9000 is a premium choice for those who value control and precision. Its elegant white and gold design not only looks sophisticated but also reflects its superior performance. This racket is perfect for players who seek a balance of finesse and power in their game.
The Axforce 100 continues the legacy of its predecessors with a focus on strength and accuracy. The sleek black and gold color scheme adds a touch of class, while the racket’s robust construction supports powerful smashes and precise shots. It’s a great choice for players looking to elevate their game with a high-performance tool.
These rackets represent the pinnacle of Li-Ning’s engineering and design for 2024. Whether you’re looking for power, speed, or control, there’s a high-end Li-Ning racket to suit your needs.
The final Super 1000 event of the season—the 2024 China Open—is underway. Let’s take a look at some of the past data from this tournament!
There are a total of 10 former champions competing in this year’s event.
One of them is Lee So-hee, who, alongside former partner Chang Ye-na, is one of only two non-Chinese pairs to have won the women’s doubles title in the past 32 years. The other pair is Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi.
Among the players participating in this year’s tournament, only Lee So-hee and the men’s doubles pair Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang have previously won the title as top seeds.
In 1995, the duo Huang Zhanzhong and Jiang Xin successfully defended their men’s doubles title. This year, Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang hope to follow in their footsteps and defend their title.
Men’s doubles is also the event where China has the fewest number of titles, with Indonesia holding the advantage in this category.
Men’s singles top seed Shi Yuqi is eager to make it to the finals; his best performance so far has been reaching the semifinals.
China is experiencing a title drought in the women’s singles category, with the last champion being Li Xuerui in 2015. Wang Zhiyi and Han Yue are strong contenders to break that streak this year.
If Viktor Axelsen wins this year, he will become the first European men’s singles player to defend the title.
Five teams have earned seed spots in events they have never won before—Thailand (men’s singles), Indonesia (women’s singles), Chinese Taipei (women’s singles and men’s doubles), Malaysia (women’s doubles), and Hong Kong (mixed doubles).
China Secures 2 Titles and 3 Runner-Ups at the Hong Kong Open
On the evening of September 15, the 2024 China Hong Kong Badminton Open concluded with China’s national team, fielding a partial main lineup, claiming two championships and three runner-up finishes. On September 17, the Chinese team will head to Changzhou, Jiangsu, to compete in the China Open, one of the highest-level and richest prize money events in the BWF World Tour.
Lei Lanxi Falls Short Against Viktor Axelsen in Men’s Singles Final
In the men’s singles final, Chinese player Lei Lanxi, who reached his first BWF Super 500 final, faced off against Denmark’s two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen. The gap in skill between the two was evident, with Lei losing 9-21, 12-21, missing out on his first major tour title. Despite the defeat, Lei’s performance at the Hong Kong Open was commendable, especially his upset victory over Indonesian star Jonatan Christie in the semifinals.
Interestingly, Lei Lanxi’s first-round opponent at the upcoming China Open will be none other than Viktor Axelsen, the No. 2 seed. This means the two will clash twice in three days, and given the current circumstances, Lei will find it challenging to get past Axelsen.
Han Yue Wins Women’s Singles Title, Ending 11-Month Drought
In the women’s singles final, China’s Han Yue took on Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani. Han won in straight sets, 21-18, 21-7, to secure her title and end an 11-month championship drought. Han Yue will face teammate Gao Fangjie in the first round of the China Open.
Jiang Zhenbang/Wei Yaxin Claim Mixed Doubles Title
China’s second title came in the mixed doubles event, where Jiang Zhenbang/Wei Yaxin defeated their compatriots Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping 2-0. As the third-ranked Chinese mixed doubles team, they upset the second-ranked team to claim the victory. In next week’s China Open, Jiang and Wei will face pairs from Malaysia and Chinese Taipei in the first round.
Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning Disappoint in Women’s Doubles Final
In the women’s doubles final at the Hong Kong Open, Paris Olympic silver medalists Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning struggled and lost 0-2 to Malaysia’s Chen Tang Jie/Thinaah Muralitharan. The “Sheng-Tan” pair will have a bye in the first round of the China Open and will begin their campaign in the second round.
Men’s Doubles Remains China’s Weakest Event
Men’s doubles was the only event where no Chinese player made it to the final at the Hong Kong Open, highlighting China’s struggles in this category. However, there is hope as Olympic silver medalists and China’s top men’s doubles pair, Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang, will finally return to action after a series of post-Olympic activities and rest. As defending champions, they are the top seeds in the China Open and will face France’s Popov brothers in the first round.
The China Badminton Open kicked off on the 17th in Changzhou, Jiangsu. China’s men’s singles player Shi Yuqi successfully advanced to the Round of 16, while China’s top men’s doubles pair, the Liang/Wang duo, won 2-0 against the Popov brothers from France to move into the next round.
After the Paris Olympics, Shi Yuqi currently ranked No. 1 in the men’s singles world rankings, showed some fluctuations in form. In the previous Japan and Korea Opens, he reached the semifinals and quarterfinals, respectively. As the top seed in this event, much is expected of this Chinese men’s singles star.
In the first round, Shi faced Thailand’s Kantaphon Wangcharoen, a player he had met six times before. Shi easily won the first game 21-10. In the second game, Wangcharoen adapted to Shi’s shot variations and managed to level the score and even take the lead at times. However, Shi Yuqi’s composure in crucial moments secured a 21-19 victory, advancing him to the second round.
In men’s doubles, the highly anticipated Chinese “Liang/Wang duo” of Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang made their post-Olympic debut. Facing the Popov brothers from France in the first round, the duo saved two game points in the first set to win 22-20. In the second set, they found their rhythm in serves and returns, winning comfortably 21-16.
Other Chinese players also had strong starts on the first day. Wang Zhiyi defeated Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt 2-0 to reach the Round of 16, while mixed doubles pair Cheng Xing/Zhang Chi and women’s doubles duo Li Wenmei/Zhang Shuxian also advanced after defeating their respective opponents.
This China Open is the first BWF World Tour Super 1000 event since the Paris Olympics and has attracted over 200 top athletes from around the world. Some notable absences include China’s top women’s singles player, Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yufei, Paris Olympic mixed doubles champions Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong, and Korea’s women’s singles champion from Paris, An Se Young.
The final Super 1000 event of the 2024 BWF World Tour, the China Open, will kick off on September 17 in Changzhou, Jiangsu, coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival. According to the latest information from the Chinese Badminton Association on September 16, and the draw released by the event organizers, China’s top women’s singles player and Tokyo Olympic champion, Chen Yufei, as well as Paris Olympic mixed doubles champions, Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong, will not be participating in this tournament. While fans may be disappointed by their absence, China’s objective remains unchanged: to achieve strong results in all five events, reach the finals in each, and secure as many titles as possible on home soil.
Following the Thomas and Uber Cup, this is the second top-level badminton event held in China this year, and the last Super 1000 event of the 2024 BWF World Tour. The China Open has attracted more than 200 top athletes from 21 countries and regions, with a total prize pool of $2 million, and increased ranking points. Unfortunately, the Chinese Badminton Association’s latest entry list, released on September 16, confirms that newly crowned Olympic mixed doubles champions Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong will not participate, despite being listed as the top seeds on the initial draw just last week. Additionally, China’s top women’s singles player, Chen Yufei, will also be absent. Reports had suggested she would return at the China Open, but she has opted to protect her ranking after the Paris Olympics, and her participation was never confirmed. It is now official that Chen Yufei will continue to stay off the court.
Despite these absences, China is still sending a strong lineup, determined to perform well at this important home tournament.
China’s men’s singles players are led by Paris Olympic participants Shi Yuqi and Li Shifeng, with Lu Guangzu, Weng Hongyang, and Lei Lanxi also competing. On the international front, nearly all the world’s top players have arrived in Changzhou, including Olympic gold, silver, and bronze medalists Viktor Axelsen, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, and Lee Zii Jia, as well as Kento Momota, Chou Tien-Chen, and others. It will be a tough battle for China to secure the men’s singles title.
In women’s singles, China’s Wang Zhiyi, Han Yue, Zhang Yiman, and Gao Fangjie are all placed in the top half of the draw, which is not an ideal situation. The top two seeds are Paris Olympic champion An Se-Young and Chinese Taipei’s veteran Tai Tzu-Ying, with Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi also in the mix. Apart from the injured Spanish player Carolina Marín and Chen Yufei, almost all of the world’s top female players are present.
In men’s doubles, all eyes are on the much-anticipated return of Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, the Paris Olympic silver medalists. The duo had missed the Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong Opens after the Olympics but are back on the court for this event, bolstering China’s hopes of claiming the men’s doubles title. They are also the reigning champions of this event and are aiming to defend their title. China’s other men’s doubles pairs include Xie Haonan/Zeng Weihang and Chen Boyang/Liu Yi.
In women’s doubles, the biggest change for China is the new pairing of Paris Olympic champion Jia Yifan with Zheng Yu. They are seeded fifth in this tournament, while Chen Qingchen is temporarily away from the team and will miss the event. On the morning of September 16, Jia Yifan and Zheng Yu began training to adapt to the court, and although this is their first time partnering, they are expected to improve their coordination as they go. Paris Olympic silver medalists Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning and the Chinese pair Li Yijing/Luo Xumin are also in the bottom half of the women’s doubles draw. Japan’s popular duo Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama, bronze medalists at the Paris Olympics, will also be competing.
In mixed doubles, despite the absence of Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong, China still has a strong chance of winning this event. The team’s second pair, Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping, the newly crowned Hong Kong Open champions Jiang Zhenbang/Wei Yaxin, as well as Guo Xinwa/Chen Fanghui and Cheng Xing/Zhang Chi, all have great potential to contend for the title.
