China Open 2026: Shi Yuqi, Weng Hongyang exit as China's men's singles bid collapses
Synopsis
World No. 1 Shi Yuqi and Weng Hongyang both fell in the quarterfinals of the 2026 China Open in Changzhou, completing a clean sweep of all four Chinese men's singles players from the draw — on home soil. Chinese Taipei now occupies both men's singles semifinal spots, a striking result that underlines a shifting balance of power in Asian badminton.
Key Takeaways
1) lost to Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei 21-14, 12-21, 21-15 in 61 minutes .
Weng Hongyang fell to Lin Chun-Yi (Chinese Taipei) 27-25, 14-21 in the quarterfinals.
All four Chinese men's singles players — including Lu Guangzu and Li Shifeng — have been eliminated from the 2026 China Open .
The men's singles semifinal is an all- Chinese Taipei affair: Chou Tien-chen vs Lin Chun-Yi ; Victor Lai (Canada) faces Toma Junior Popov (France) in the other.
China's women's singles contenders Wang Zhiyi and Chen Yufei both advanced to the semifinals.
Chinese doubles pairs progressed in all three categories, keeping the host nation's medal prospects alive.
Shi Yuqi and Weng Hongyang both crashed out in the quarterfinals of the 2026 China Open in Changzhou on Friday, 24 July, leaving the host nation without a single men's singles representative in the last four. The double exit — combined with earlier eliminations of Lu Guangzu and Li Shifeng — means all four Chinese men's singles players have now been swept from the tournament on home soil.
How Shi Yuqi's Campaign Ended
World No. 1 Shi Yuqi battled for 61 minutes against Chinese Taipei's Chou Tien-chen but could not convert when it mattered most. Shi took the opening game 21-14, but Chou levelled at 12-21 before pulling away in the decider to win 21-15. It was a damaging result for the top seed, who had been expected to lead China's charge deep into the draw.
Weng Hongyang Falls to Lin Chun-Yi
Weng Hongyang's exit was equally narrow. He pushed Lin Chun-Yi — also of Chinese Taipei — to 27-25 in a tense opening game but ultimately could not sustain the pressure, falling 21-14 in the second to exit in straight games. The result sets up an all-Chinese Taipei men's singles semifinal, with Chou Tien-chen facing Lin Chun-Yi. The other semifinal pits Canada's Victor Lai against France's Toma Junior Popov.
Chinese Women and Doubles Sides Stay Strong
China's women's singles campaign remained on track. Second seed Wang Zhiyi advanced comfortably, beating South Korea's Kim Ga-eun 21-18, 21-14. She will face Japan's Akane Yamaguchi, who edged past home favourite Han Yue 21-16, 14-21, 21-17 in a three-game contest.
Olympic champion Chen Yufei also progressed, recovering from a first-game deficit to defeat Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon 15-21, 21-12, 21-13.
Doubles Dominance Continues for China
Chinese doubles pairs provided consolation across three categories. In mixed doubles, top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping cruised past Chinese Taipei's Yang Po-hsuan and Hu Ling-fang 21-15, 21-11. In an all-China upset, Guo Xinwa and Chen Fanghui overcame Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin 14-21, 21-18, 21-18.
Men's doubles fourth seeds Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang defeated Denmark's Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard in straight games. Women's doubles top seeds Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning also sailed through their quarterfinal without incident.
What Comes Next
The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, 25 July, with the final set to conclude the 2026 China Open on Sunday. While China's doubles contingent keeps the host nation's medal hopes alive, the men's singles collapse on home soil will draw scrutiny heading into the back half of the international calendar.
Point of View
But the structural concern is depth: with Lu Guangzu and Li Shifeng also gone, China has no men's singles semifinalist at a home Super 750. The doubles strength offers cover, but selectors will want answers before the next major cycle.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Shi Yuqi at the 2026 China Open?
World No. 1 Shi Yuqi lost in the quarterfinals of the 2026 China Open to Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei 21-14, 12-21, 21-15 after a 61-minute contest in Changzhou on 24 July. It was a significant upset given Shi's top ranking and home-crowd advantage.
Who are the men's singles semifinalists at the 2026 China Open?
The men's singles semifinals feature an all-Chinese Taipei clash between Chou Tien-chen and Lin Chun-Yi, while Canada's Victor Lai takes on France's Toma Junior Popov in the other tie. No Chinese player reached the last four.
How did China's women's singles players perform on Friday?
Wang Zhiyi beat South Korea's Kim Ga-eun 21-18, 21-14 to reach the semifinals, where she will face Japan's Akane Yamaguchi. Olympic champion Chen Yufei also advanced, defeating Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon 15-21, 21-12, 21-13.
Which Chinese doubles pairs advanced at the 2026 China Open?
Mixed doubles top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping progressed, as did Guo Xinwa and Chen Fanghui in an all-China upset. Men's doubles pair Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, and women's doubles top seeds Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning, also reached the semifinals.
When are the 2026 China Open semifinals and final?
The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, 25 July, with the final set for Sunday, 26 July, concluding the 2026 China Open in Changzhou.
