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.