China Dominates Malaysia Open 2025 Finals with 5 Wins at Thach Vu Ky Arena
Conor Hudson
Mon Jan 20 2025
The Malaysia Open 2025 witnessed an outstanding performance by the Chinese badminton players at the Axiata Arena, as they secured victories in 5 out of the 6 finals. It was a remarkable day for Chinese badminton, marking their resurgence after two decades of dominance.
In the semi-finals, China's representatives excelled with three wins out of four matches. The only setback was the defeat of the Chinese women's doubles pair, Li Yi Jing and Luo Xu Min, who lost to Japan's Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto. However, the other matches unfolded favorably for China, with Wang Zhi Yi defeating Thailand's Pornpicha Choeikeewong, and Malaysian hopes shattered by Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping and Chen Bo Yang/Liu Yi. The top-seeded mixed doubles pair Feng/Huang conquered Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei, while Chen/Liu triumphed over Man Wei Chong/Tee Kai Wun.
The day also witnessed two all-Chinese finals, with Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian triumphing over top seeds Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning in a hard-fought encounter lasting 91 minutes. Another thrilling match lasted 82 minutes in the second game, where Jia joked about aiming for a 100-minute final to challenge themselves further.
The world number one men's singles player, Shi Yu Qi, showcased a stunning comeback against compatriot Li Shi Feng, winning a grueling match that extended to 62 minutes. Shi emphasized the physical and mental challenges in such intense battles and the importance of strategy and composure.
The last time China clinched all final spots at the Malaysia Open was in 2005, when they secured two titles through Zhang Ning (women's singles) and Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen (women's doubles). Notably, it was also the tournament where Lee Chong Wei defeated Lin Dan for his second consecutive Malaysia Open title, contributing to his impressive record of 12 titles at the event.
The China-dominated finals at the Malaysia Open 2025 showcased the country's badminton prowess, signaling their return to the forefront of the sport after a long hiatus. With such exceptional performances and multiple titles secured, the Chinese contingent has once again asserted its dominance in the global badminton arena.