China Open roundup: Shi Yuqi stages comeback to advance to semifinals

Home favorite Shi Yuqi showcased his resilience at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) China Open in Changzhou, battling back from a game down to overcome compatriot Li Shifeng and secure his place in the men's singles semifinals.

The match started with Li adopting an aggressive approach, seizing the first game 21-15 with a deft forehand finish. But Shi, the top-ranked player from China, rallied in the second game as the 29-year-old fortified his defense and leveled the match after taking the second game by his own 21-15 scoreline. The World No. 2 then completed his comeback in commanding fashion, wrapping up the decider 21-11.

Shi's next challenge will come from Chinese Taipei's Chou Tien-chen, who advanced after stunning Thailand's World No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-17, 21-11.

In women's singles action, China's second-seeded Wang Zhiyi cruised into the semifinals with a straight-sets victory over Chinese Taipei's Chiu Pin-Chian.

After claiming the opener 21-16, Wang faced a spirited challenge in the second game, where a back-and-forth exchange ensued. But she seized control with a remarkable 10-point run, ultimately closing out the contest 21-11. Wang is set to clash with Japan's third-seeded Akane Yamaguchi in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, South Korea's Paris Olympics champion An Se-young displayed her mettle in a tense battle against China's Tokyo Games winner Chen Yufei.  

The first game saw Chen falter at a critical moment, falling 21-18. In the second game, she fought back to pull level at 19-19, but could not maintain the momentum, eventually bowing out 21-19. An's next opponent will be China's fourth-seeded Han Yue, who triumphed over Indonesia's Gregoria Mariska Tunjung 21-19, 21-18.