Changzhou: In a compelling turn of events during the men’s doubles semi-finals at the 2023 China Open, Malaysia’s 2022 world champions, Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik, outclassed South Korea’s 2023 world champions Seo Seung Jae/Kang Min Hyuk. A straight-sets victory of 21-18, 21-17 marked a stellar comeback for the Malaysian duo, especially after their recent setback by losing to the same opponents in the semi-final of the 2023 World Badminton Championships in Copenhagen two weeks ago.
Highlights of Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik vs. Seo Seung Jae/Kang Min Hyuk in the 2023 China Open semi-finals:
It’s been a decade since a Malaysian men’s doubles team, namely Hoon Thien How/Tan Wee Kiong in 2013, advanced to the China Open finals. However, the last time Malaysia tasted victory in this tournament was in 2015, thanks to the legendary Lee Chong Wei. Meanwhile, the last Malaysian men’s doubles pair to win the China Open was Jalani Sidek/Razif Sidek, way back in 1989.
Chia/Soh are now pitted against China’s World No. 3, Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang, in the final. The Chinese pair, after a gripping contest, narrowly overcame the 2021 world champions from Japan, Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi, with scores reading 21-16, 20-22, 22-20.
Switching focus to the men’s singles, Denmark’s World No. 1, Viktor Axelsen, after a hiatus of six years, has stormed into the final of the China Open. His opponent in the final will be China’s World No. 15, Lu Guangzu. Earlier today, Axelsen, seeded No.1, outperformed Indonesia’s fifth seed, Jonatan Christie, with a score of 21-17, 21-14. This marked Axelsen’s sixth consecutive win over Christie, making the overall record tilt heavily in favor of the Dane, 9-2. The Dane had previously reached the China Open final in 2017, where he lost to Chinese maestro Chen Long.
Highlights of Viktor Axelsen vs. Jonatan Christie in the 2023 China Open semi-finals:
On the other hand, Lu Guangzu’s journey to the final was equally noteworthy. He defeated fellow countryman Shi Yuqi with an impressive 21-13, 21-14. This marks Guangzu’s maiden appearance in a Super 1000 final. Notably, he has previously clinched titles at the Australian Open (Super 300) and Canada Open (Super 100) in 2018.
With both the men’s singles and doubles finals set, badminton enthusiasts globally are in for a treat as the battles promise unmatched intensity and thrill.
