KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 10 -- All three Chinese men's singles shuttlers were knocked out at the Malaysia Masters quarterfinals on Friday, despite their great efforts in close fights.
Chen Long fought hard in three sets over an hour against Denmark's Viktor Axelsen. The Rio Olympic champion saved five straight match points when trailing by 20-15 in the third set, only falling short of an incredible comeback by losing 11-21, 21-12, 22-20.
Shi Yuqi was defeated by Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia 21-12, 16-21, 19-21 after failing to keep up his momentum. Japan's World No. 1 Kento Momota got the better of Huang Yuxiang with 21-13, 19-21, 21-9.
Despite suffering setbacks in the men's singles, the Chinese team kept their strong performance in other categories.
The world's top women's singles shuttler Chen Yufei outclassed compatriot Wang Zhiyi 21-19, 21-14 in a quick 32 minute match while He Bingjiao dominated Japan's Nozomi Okuhara 21-17, 21-10.
In mixed doubles, Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong crushed Malaysia's Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Jemie Lai 21-11 21-9 in only 24 minutes while Wang Yilyu/Huang Dongping came back from behind against Robin Tabeling/Selena Piek of the Netherlands 19-21, 21-8, 21-15.
In men's doubles, Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen easily bested their Japanese opponents Akira Koga/Taichi Saito 21-12, 21-15.
In women's doubles, Du Yue/Li Yin Hui beat Japan's Ayaka Takahashi/Misaki Matsutomo 17-21, 21-19, 22-20, and Li Wenmei/Zheng Yu took out South Korea's Kim So Yeong/Kong Hee Yong 21-16, 21-12.
Pilot flight for Internet on Air China
Capital beefs up flood safety
Tencent puts payment app on WeChat
Grants to lure native talent back to China
Right regal fuss as world wagers on royal baby
Beijing rainstorm cancels flights, kills airport employee
Purifier makers see thirst for cleaner water in China
Some restrictions on Palestinians' daily lives to be lifted for Ramadan
Foreign suspects accused of theft
Mastiff attacks spark renewed debate on urban dog control
A welcome to China's first good Samaritan law
Website for filing complaints crashes temporarily
US company boss trapped in office as union negotiates
70 Chinese students, teachers on crashed plane
Asia mobile subscribers hit 1.5b in 2017
Novel tongues translate into success
Orchard farmers stimulate Beijing's economy
10 hurt as landing gear collapses at New York airport
Coal burning in China's north can shorten lives
Smartphones easy game for hackers
Carrefour source denies chain plans to exit market
Greenwald's partner detained for 9 hours
New China-US ties promising
China and Canada to form pact
Heavy rain expected in quake areas
Foreigners get bigger fines in exit-entry law
Woman delivers 'miracle' baby after H7N9 recovery
Shelter to help abandoned children
Boeing systems put to test after fire on 787 Dreamliner
Fewer Chinese consumers picking Apple's iPhone