Weng upsets Antonsen in China Open amid mixed results for Chinese contingent

The 2026 China Open kicked off in Changzhou on Tuesday as top local badminton players Shi Yuqi and Chen Yufei safely advanced to the round of 16.

As the world No. 1 and tournament favorite, Shi was made to work hard by Singapore's Jason Teh Jia Heng, who surged ahead to win the opening game 21-18, putting the former under pressure. However, Teh's promising start was abruptly cut short as he retired from the match due to injury while trailing 6-2 in the second game. Shi thus progressed. 

In another thrilling match, China's Weng Hongyang triumphed over third-seeded Dane Anders Antonsen in a gripping three-game battle. After the first two games were deadlocked, Weng clinched the decider with a narrow 22-20 victory.

However, home favorite Lu Guangzu was eliminated, losing 21-18, 21-16 to Lin Chun-Yi of Chinese Taipei as the local crowd had to deal with some disappointment. 

On the women's side, reigning Olympic champion Chen Yufei displayed remarkable resilience, overcoming a stern test from Japan's Natsuki Nidaira. After dropping the opening game 21-19, Chen rallied to win the next two 21-19, 21-18, securing her place in the last 16.

Unfortunately, Chinese youngster Han Qianxi was unable to capitalize on her opportunity, falling to Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani.  Thus leaves Chen as the sole Chinese representative in the women's competition. 

China's doubles teams, however, shined brightly throughout the three events. The men's doubles duo of Chen Boyang and Liu Yi, top women's pair Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning, and the young mixed tandem of Gao Jiaxuan and Wu Mengying all enjoyed victorious starts to their campaigns.

In contrast, mixed doubles pair Zhu Yijun and Li Qian faced disappointment, losing in straight games against the French duo of Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue.