ORLEANS, France — China’s badminton star Chen Yufei staged a thrilling comeback on Saturday to secure her place in the women’s singles final at the Orleans Masters. Facing off against America’s Zhang Beiwen, Chen overcame a shaky start to clinch a hard-earned victory.
In the semifinal clash, Chen struggled with unforced errors in the opening game, falling 15-21 despite a determined effort to close the gap. Refusing to be deterred, the Olympic champion adjusted her strategy, showcasing her signature net play and aggressive tactics.
Chen dominated the following two games, winning 21-13 and 21-12, demonstrating why she’s one of the top players in the world. “I knew I had to stay focused and play my game,” Chen said after the match. “I’m thrilled to be in the final.”
Awaiting her in the final is South Korea’s rising star An Se-young, who battled through her own three-game semifinal against Gao Fangjie to earn her spot. The highly anticipated matchup promises to be a showcase of skill and determination.
In men’s doubles action, China’s dynamic duo Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang delivered a commanding performance against Malaysia’s Arif Abdul Latif and Ye Ruiqing. The Chinese pair swept their opponents in straight games, 21-14 and 21-13, sealing the victory in just 26 minutes.
Liang and Wang will face South Korea’s Kang Min-hyuk and Ki Dong-ju in the final. “We’re playing with great chemistry right now,” Wang commented. “We’re looking forward to the challenge in the final.”
The Orleans Masters finals are set to deliver exciting matchups as players vie for the championship titles.
