Nur Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong created an upset to reach the semifinals of the 2026 China Masters in Shenzhen. (Photo: BWF)
Shenzhen, China: Malaysia enjoyed a memorable quarterfinal day at the 2026 China Masters as four doubles combinations booked places in the semifinals, led by the remarkable run of Hoo Pang Ron and Lai Pei Jing.
The world No. 85 mixed doubles pair continued to defy the rankings by defeating their third consecutive higher-ranked opponents, while Goh Soon Huat-Lai Shevon Jemie, Tee Kai Wun-Yap Roy King and Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong also advanced to the last four of the BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament.
Elsewhere in Shenzhen, women’s singles world No. 1 An Se Young continued her dominant run, while Jason Gunawan, Anders Antonsen, Lee Cheuk Yiu and Christo Popov secured the four men’s singles semifinal spots.
Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing Reach First Super 750 Semifinal
Hoo Pang Ron and Lai Pei Jing have become one of the biggest stories of the China Masters.
The Malaysian independent pair defeated Chinese Taipei’s Liu Kuang Heng and Hsu Yin-Hui 24-22, 21-5 in the quarterfinals to reach their first Super 750 semifinal as a partnership.
The opening game proved decisive.
Hoo and Lai trailed 18-20 and faced two game points, but refused to surrender. They fought back to level the score and eventually took the game 24-22 before completely dominating the second 21-5.
Winners: Hoo Pang Ron/Lai Pei Jing of Malaysia
Defeated: Liu Kuang Heng/Hsu Yin-Hui of Chinese Taipei
Score: 24-22, 21-5
Round: China Masters quarterfinals
Liu and Hsu had already created one of the tournament’s biggest upsets when they eliminated newly crowned French world champions Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue in the opening round.
But their giant-killing run ended against another unseeded pair in Hoo and Lai.
Hoo-Lai Have Beaten Three Higher-Ranked Pairs in Shenzhen
The victory continued an extraordinary week for Hoo and Lai, who entered the China Masters ranked only world No. 85.
All three of their opponents so far have been ranked significantly above them.
First round: Beat world No. 25 Chan Yin Chak/Ng Tsz Yau of Hong Kong
Round of 16: Beat world No. 9 and sixth seeds Cheng Xing/Zhang Chi of China
Quarterfinal: Beat world No. 48 Liu Kuang Heng/Hsu Yin-Hui of Chinese Taipei
The Malaysian pair only began competing together in late May and reached the semifinals of the Macau Open Super 300 in June.
After spending around three months away from competition as a pair, they have returned in Shenzhen without losing their momentum.
This is now their first semifinal at the Super 750 level.
Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing to Face Zhu Yi Jun-Li Qian
Hoo and Lai will next face China’s world No. 28 pair Zhu Yi Jun and Li Qian for a place in the final.
The Chinese combination advanced after defeating Chinese Taipei’s Wu Guan Xun and Lee Chia Hsin in straight games.
After overcoming three higher-ranked combinations already, Hoo and Lai will have another opportunity to continue one of the most unexpected runs of the tournament.
Watch Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing China Masters Quarterfinal Highlights
Goh Soon Huat-Lai Shevon Jemie Reach First Semifinal of 2026
Malaysia’s other independent mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat and Lai Shevon Jemie also reached the semifinals with an impressive straight-games victory.
The eighth seeds defeated China’s world No. 29 Gao Jia Xuan and Wu Meng Ying 21-15, 21-11.
It was their second consecutive victory over the Chinese combination following their previous meeting at last year’s Korea Open.
Winners: Goh Soon Huat/Lai Shevon Jemie of Malaysia
Defeated: Gao Jia Xuan/Wu Meng Ying of China
Score: 21-15, 21-11
The husband-and-wife partnership has now reached its first semifinal of the season.
Goh-Lai Face World No. 1 Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping
A much tougher challenge awaits in the semifinals.
Goh and Lai will meet China’s world No. 1 pair Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping.
Feng and Huang needed three games to defeat Chinese Taipei’s seventh seeds Ye Hong Wei and Nicole Gonzales Chan 21-10, 15-21, 21-12.
The Malaysian pair will therefore need another high-quality performance if they are to reach the China Masters final.
Nur Azriyn-Tan Wee Kiong Produce Another Upset
Nur Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong continued Malaysia’s successful day by stunning Indonesia’s sixth seeds Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani.
The Malaysian independent pair prevailed 21-17, 16-21, 21-19 in a tense three-game contest.
Winners: Nur Azriyn Ayub/Tan Wee Kiong of Malaysia
Defeated: Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani of Indonesia
Score: 21-17, 16-21, 21-19
Ranked world No. 28, Nur Azriyn and Tan have now reached their first Super 750 semifinal together.
Their run has included several impressive victories and provides another boost for Malaysia’s already competitive men’s doubles group.
Nur Azriyn-Tan Wee Kiong to Challenge Satwik-Chirag
The Malaysians will next face India’s fourth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.
The Indian stars defeated former world No. 1 Danish pair Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen 21-13, 16-21, 21-18 in their quarterfinal.
That semifinal should provide a major test for Nur Azriyn and Tan against one of the most experienced and physically powerful men’s doubles partnerships in world badminton.
Watch Nur Azriyn-Tan Wee Kiong Quarterfinal Highlights
Tee Kai Wun-Yap Roy King Reach China Masters Semifinals
Malaysia’s experimental combination Tee Kai Wun and Yap Roy King also continued their strong campaign.
They defeated Japan’s world No. 28 Takumi Nomura and Yuichi Shimogami 21-13, 19-21, 21-12.
After taking the opening game comfortably, Tee and Yap were pushed into a decider but regained control in the third game to secure their semifinal place.
Winners: Tee Kai Wun/Yap Roy King of Malaysia
Defeated: Takumi Nomura/Yuichi Shimogami of Japan
Score: 21-13, 19-21, 21-12
Tee-Yap Can Avenge Soh Wooi Yik-Aaron Tai Defeat
Tee and Yap will next face China’s He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu.
The Chinese pair advanced by eliminating Malaysia’s experimental combination Soh Wooi Yik and Aaron Tai 21-16, 17-21, 21-16.
Tee and Yap will therefore have the opportunity to avenge their teammates’ quarterfinal defeat while trying to reach another final following their Korea Masters title.
Soh Wooi Yik-Aaron Tai Experiment Ends in Quarterfinals
Soh and 19-year-old Aaron Tai ended their China Masters run after a competitive three-game battle against He and Ren.
Winners: He Ji Ting/Ren Xiang Yu of China
Defeated: Soh Wooi Yik/Aaron Tai of Malaysia
Score: 21-16, 17-21, 21-16
Although the partnership ends without a title, Aaron once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of Malaysia’s most promising young doubles players.
He reached the Taipei Open final alongside former world champion Aaron Chia before partnering another former world champion, Soh Wooi Yik, in Shenzhen.
Soh and Aaron Tai defeated Japan’s Hiroki Okamura and Kyohei Yamashita in the first round before scoring an impressive 21-13, 21-18 victory over China’s world No. 10 Chen Boyang and Liu Yi.
With Soh expected to reunite with long-time partner Aaron Chia for Malaysia’s push toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the China Masters brought the short-term Soh-Aaron Tai experiment to an end.
Jason Gunawan Continues Breakthrough China Masters Run
In men’s singles, Hong Kong’s Jason Gunawan continued his career-best run by defeating defending champion Weng Hongyang of China.
Jason won 21-18, 21-13 to reach the semifinals.
Winner: Jason Gunawan of Hong Kong
Defeated: Weng Hongyang of China
Score: 21-18, 21-13
The result followed Jason’s shock round-of-16 victory over newly crowned world No. 1 Jonatan Christie.
After reaching his first Super 750 quarterfinal, the 22-year-old has now gone one step further by earning a place in the last four.
Anders Antonsen Comes Back to Beat Kunlavut Vitidsarn
Denmark’s fifth seed Anders Antonsen survived one of the most competitive men’s singles quarterfinals.
Thailand’s third seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn won the opening game 21-18, but Antonsen responded to take the next two 21-17, 21-18.
Winner: Anders Antonsen of Denmark
Defeated: Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand
Score: 18-21, 21-17, 21-18
Antonsen will meet Jason Gunawan in the semifinals, pitting the experienced Danish star against one of the tournament’s biggest surprise performers.
Lee Cheuk Yiu Beats Kidambi Srikanth
Hong Kong secured a second men’s singles semifinalist through Lee Cheuk Yiu.
Lee defeated India’s former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth 21-16, 21-16.
Winner: Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong
Defeated: Kidambi Srikanth of India
Score: 21-16, 21-16
Lee will next face France’s Christo Popov for a place in the final.
Christo Popov Ends Kodai Naraoka’s Run
France’s second seed Christo Popov produced one of the most convincing performances of the quarterfinals, defeating Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 21-10, 21-14.
Naraoka had reached the final of the recent World Championships and entered Shenzhen in strong form, but Popov controlled the contest from start to finish.
Winner: Christo Popov of France
Defeated: Kodai Naraoka of Japan
Score: 21-10, 21-14
China Masters Men’s Singles Semifinals
Jason Gunawan of Hong Kong vs Anders Antonsen of Denmark
Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong vs Christo Popov of France
Hong Kong therefore has two representatives among the four remaining men’s singles players.
An Se Young Dominates Kim Ga Eun
Women’s singles world No. 1 An Se Young showed no signs of slowing down as she overwhelmed Korean teammate Kim Ga Eun 21-11, 21-10.
Winner: An Se Young of South Korea
Defeated: Kim Ga Eun of South Korea
Score: 21-11, 21-10
An entered the quarterfinals carrying a 30-match winning streak and is chasing a third consecutive China Masters title.
Her next match will be considerably more difficult, however, as she faces three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi.
Akane Yamaguchi Sets Up An Se Young Semifinal
Japan’s third seed Akane Yamaguchi defeated Thailand’s Supanida Katethong 21-18, 21-16.
Winner: Akane Yamaguchi of Japan
Defeated: Supanida Katethong of Thailand
Score: 21-18, 21-16
The result sets up another blockbuster encounter between An and Yamaguchi, who also met in the 2026 World Championships final in New Delhi.
An won that championship match and will again be favored based on her extraordinary current form, but Yamaguchi remains one of the few players capable of consistently testing the Korean world No. 1.
Tomoka Miyazaki Continues Strong Run
Japan will have a second representative in the women’s singles semifinals after Tomoka Miyazaki defeated Bulgaria’s Kaloyana Nalbantova.
The Japanese youngster won comfortably 21-12, 21-11.
Winner: Tomoka Miyazaki of Japan
Defeated: Kaloyana Nalbantova of Bulgaria
Score: 21-12, 21-11
Miyazaki will face China’s second seed Wang Zhi Yi in the semifinals.
Wang Zhi Yi Cruises Past Nozomi Okuhara
Wang Zhi Yi produced the most dominant scoreline of the women’s singles quarterfinals.
The Chinese second seed defeated former world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan 21-6, 21-10.
Winner: Wang Zhi Yi of China
Defeated: Nozomi Okuhara of Japan
Score: 21-6, 21-10
Wang will now carry China’s hopes into a semifinal against Miyazaki.
China Masters Women’s Singles Semifinals
An Se Young of South Korea vs Akane Yamaguchi of Japan
Tomoka Miyazaki of Japan vs Wang Zhi Yi of China
Jia Yi Fan-Zhang Shu Xian Lead China Into Women’s Doubles Semifinals
In women’s doubles, China’s fourth seeds Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian advanced comfortably by defeating Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Yin-Hui and Lin Jhih Yun 21-12, 21-11.
Winners: Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian of China
Defeated: Hsu Yin-Hui/Lin Jhih Yun of Chinese Taipei
Score: 21-12, 21-11
They will face another Chinese pair, Bao Li Jing and Cao Zi Han, in the semifinals.
Bao Li Jing-Cao Zi Han Eliminate American Pair
Bao Li Jing and Cao Zi Han reached the last four with a 21-12, 21-15 victory over Francesca Corbett and Jennie Gai of the United States.
Winners: Bao Li Jing/Cao Zi Han of China
Defeated: Francesca Corbett/Jennie Gai of the United States
Score: 21-12, 21-15
The result guarantees China one place in the women’s doubles final.
Sumire Nakade-Miyu Takahashi Survive 25-23 Decider
Japan’s Sumire Nakade and Miyu Takahashi survived one of the closest matches of the quarterfinal stage against China’s Luo Yi and Wang Ting Ge.
The Japanese pair won the first game 21-10 before the Chinese combination responded 21-13.
The deciding game went beyond 21 points before Nakade and Takahashi finally secured a dramatic 25-23 victory.
Winners: Sumire Nakade/Miyu Takahashi of Japan
Defeated: Luo Yi/Wang Ting Ge of China
Score: 21-10, 13-21, 25-23
Hirota-Sakuramoto Complete All-Japanese Semifinal
Sayaka Hirota and Ayako Sakuramoto also advanced after coming from behind against Thailand’s Benyapa Aimsaard and Nuntakarn Aimsaard.
The Thai sisters took the opening game 21-19, but Hirota and Sakuramoto responded with 21-13 and 21-18 victories.
Winners: Sayaka Hirota/Ayako Sakuramoto of Japan
Defeated: Benyapa Aimsaard/Nuntakarn Aimsaard of Thailand
Score: 19-21, 21-13, 21-18
The result sets up an all-Japanese semifinal against Nakade and Takahashi.
China Masters Women’s Doubles Semifinals
Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian of China vs Bao Li Jing/Cao Zi Han of China
Sumire Nakade/Miyu Takahashi of Japan vs Sayaka Hirota/Ayako Sakuramoto of Japan
Malaysia Enjoys Major China Masters Breakthrough
The biggest Malaysian badminton story heading into the semifinals is the sheer number of doubles combinations still alive.
Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing have reached their first Super 750 semifinal after beating three consecutive higher-ranked opponents. Goh Soon Huat-Lai Shevon Jemie are into their first semifinal of the year, while Nur Azriyn-Tan Wee Kiong and Tee Kai Wun-Yap Roy King have also reached the last four in men’s doubles.
The performances provide another reminder of Malaysia’s considerable depth in doubles, even as the national setup continues experimenting with different partnerships.
Hoo and Lai’s run has been especially striking. Ranked outside the world’s top 80, they are now only one victory away from a Super 750 final.
With An Se Young preparing for another showdown against Akane Yamaguchi, two Hong Kong players reaching the men’s singles semifinals and Malaysia carrying four doubles pairs into the last four, the 2026 China Masters is set for an intriguing semifinal day in Shenzhen.