In a thrilling upset at the 2024 China Open, Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin clinched the Men’s Doubles title, preventing a clean sweep by the host nation. The Malaysian duo, seeded seventh, faced a formidable challenge against the fifth-seeded Chinese pair of He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu, who had previously triumphed at the Singapore Open and Australia Open.
The match began with the Chinese pair dominating the first set, winning 21-13 amidst the roaring cheers of the home crowd. However, Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin, fueled by their recent victory at the Japan Open, staged a remarkable comeback. They displayed unwavering determination, securing the second set 21-12 and ultimately clinching the championship with a 21-17 win in the third set.
Despite this setback, China maintained its stronghold in badminton, capturing the remaining four titles with impressive ease. In the Mixed Doubles, the second-seeded Chinese pair of Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping overcame Malaysia’s Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie. The Malaysian duo, ranked 13th in the world and winners of the Swiss Open and Malaysia Masters, initially took the lead by winning the first set 21-16. However, Yan Zhe and Dong Ping, currently the world’s No. 3 pair, showcased their exceptional skills, rallying back to win the subsequent sets 21-14 and 21-17. This victory added another prestigious title to their collection, following their success at the French Open earlier in the year.
The Women’s Doubles final witnessed an all-Chinese clash, with Li Yi Jing and Luo Xu Min facing off against Li Wen Mei and Zhang Shu Xian. The young pair of Yi Jing and Xu Min, both 22 years old, encountered a challenging start, losing the first set 11-21. However, they regained their composure and dominated the remaining sets, winning 21-18 and 21-8 to secure the championship in a match that lasted 72 minutes.
In the Women’s Singles, Wang Zhi Yi ended China’s nine-year drought in the event. The world No. 6 player engaged in a patient and strategic battle against Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki, ultimately emerging victorious with a 21-17, 21-15 win in a match that extended over 50 minutes.
China’s triumphant performance culminated in the Men’s Singles final, where Weng Hong Yang, ranked 16th in the world, exceeded expectations by defeating Japan’s Kodai Naraoka, ranked 6th. Hong Yang showcased his exceptional talent, securing a convincing 21-17, 21-12 victory in 54 minutes to claim his first BWF World Tour title of the year.
The 2024 China Open will be remembered for Malaysia’s remarkable upset in the Men’s Doubles, breaking China’s dominance in the event. However, China’s overall performance reaffirmed its position as a powerhouse in badminton, with victories in four out of five categories. The tournament showcased the exceptional skills and fierce competition among the world’s top badminton players, leaving fans eagerly anticipating future clashes on the BWF World Tour.
