Naraoka beats Li Shifeng again to reach China Masters last 16
Synopsis
Kodai Naraoka has now beaten Li Shifeng twice in two weeks — first at the BWF World Championships, now at the China Masters on Li's home turf. With the world champion's runner-up in red-hot form and France's Gicquel-Delrue pair already out, the draw in Shenzhen is wide open.
Key Takeaways
Kodai Naraoka defeated Li Shifeng 21-18, 21-7 at the 2026 BWF China Masters in Shenzhen on 2 September .
It is Naraoka's second successive win over Li, having beaten him at the BWF World Championships quarterfinals two weeks prior, where Naraoka finished runner-up.
France's Popov brothers advanced in both men's singles and men's doubles on the same day.
World Championship mixed doubles winners Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue suffered a shock exit, losing to Chinese Taipei's Liu Kuang-heng and Hsu Yin-hui 23-21, 21-10 .
Second seed Wang Zhiyi cruised through the women's singles in 38 minutes , while Ratchanok Intanon also progressed.
Japan's Kodai Naraoka continued his recent dominance over China's Li Shifeng, defeating the home favourite in straight games at the 2026 BWF China Masters in Shenzhen on Wednesday, 2 September, to advance to the men's singles round of 16. The scoreline read 21-18, 21-7 in Naraoka's favour.
A Familiar Result for Li Shifeng
The defeat was Li's second successive loss to Naraoka in as many weeks. Just two weeks ago, the Japanese shuttler eliminated Li at the quarterfinal stage of the BWF World Championships, going on to finish as runner-up in that tournament. Li's inability to reverse that result at home will be a concern heading into the continental calendar.
Li had looked competitive early, leading for a significant portion of the opening game, but Naraoka's resilience proved decisive. Once the Japanese player levelled and edged ahead, Li's composure appeared to falter. The second game was a rout, with Naraoka winning 21-7.
What Li Said After the Match
'I made some mistakes while leading, which allowed him to turn the game around. That also affected my mindset at the start of the second game,' Li said after the contest. The defending Asian Games men's singles champion also looked ahead to the upcoming continental event, saying: 'I will give it my all. The Asian Games will be a fresh start, and I hope I can do better.'
Popov Brothers Shine for France
France's Popov brothers had a productive day, advancing in both men's singles and men's doubles. Toma Junior Popov defeated veteran Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei 22-20, 21-15, while second seed Christo Popov staged a comeback from a game down to overcome Thailand's Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul 9-21, 23-21, 21-16.
The brothers then combined in the doubles to beat Chinese Taipei's twin pair Lee Fang-chih and Lee Fang-jen 21-18, 21-7, booking spots in the last 16 of two events on the same day — a notable double for the French contingent.
World Champions Gicquel and Delrue Suffer Shock Exit
Not all was well for France, however. Mixed doubles pair Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue — who had just claimed the mixed doubles title at the BWF World Championships — suffered a surprise first-round exit, falling 23-21, 21-10 to Liu Kuang-heng and Hsu Yin-hui of Chinese Taipei. It is the kind of result that underlines how unpredictable early-round BWF Super 300 draws can be, particularly for pairs adjusting to a packed post-Worlds schedule.
Women's Singles: Wang and Intanon Advance
In the women's singles, second seed Wang Zhiyi of China was clinical, dispatching Thailand's Tonrug Saeheng — ranked No. 71 in the world — 21-6, 21-14 in just 38 minutes. Thailand's veteran Ratchanok Intanon also progressed, defeating Tung Ciou-tong of Chinese Taipei 21-16, 21-14.
With the round of 16 now set, all eyes will be on whether Naraoka can maintain his momentum and push deeper into a tournament that features several of the world's top-ranked players.
Point of View
Now on Chinese soil — is more than a streak; it signals a genuine shift in the men's singles pecking order. Li, the defending Asian Games champion, has yet to find an answer to the Japanese player's game, and the timing is awkward with the continental showpiece approaching. Meanwhile, the early exit of Gicquel and Delrue is a reminder that World Championship momentum rarely travels seamlessly into the next tournament, especially for mixed doubles pairs navigating a congested schedule.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score in Naraoka vs Li Shifeng at the 2026 BWF China Masters?
Kodai Naraoka defeated Li Shifeng 21-18, 21-7 in straight games in the opening round of the 2026 BWF China Masters in Shenzhen on 2 September. Naraoka advances to the men's singles round of 16.
Has Naraoka beaten Li Shifeng before?
Yes. Naraoka defeated Li Shifeng at the quarterfinal stage of the BWF World Championships just two weeks before the China Masters, going on to finish as runner-up in that tournament. The China Masters result is his second successive win over the Chinese player.
How did the Popov brothers perform at the 2026 China Masters?
Both Toma Junior Popov and Christo Popov won their men's singles matches, and the pair also combined to win their men's doubles fixture, securing spots in the last 16 of two events on the same day.
Why did Gicquel and Delrue's exit cause a surprise?
Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue had just won the mixed doubles title at the BWF World Championships, making their first-round loss to Liu Kuang-heng and Hsu Yin-hui of Chinese Taipei — 23-21, 21-10 — an unexpected early exit.
Who advanced in the women's singles at the 2026 BWF China Masters?
Second seed Wang Zhiyi of China beat Thailand's Tonrug Saeheng 21-6, 21-14 in 38 minutes, while Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon defeated Tung Ciou-tong of Chinese Taipei 21-16, 21-14 to also reach the last 16.
