Latest news with #Shifeng
The Star
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Li's ‘liberation' – Shifeng says his historic win feels like a good release
KUALA LUMPUR: Li Shifeng (pic) is overjoyed after becoming the first Chinese men's singles player to capture the Malaysian Masters title. World No. 4 Shifeng was in his element when he only needed 36 minutes to beat India's surprise finalist K. Srikanth 21-11, 21-9 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday. It was a historic victory for the 25-year-old as he became the first shuttler from China to win the men's singles title since the tournament's inception in 2009. Shifeng also celebrated his first title since winning the Japan Masters last November. 'I didn't expect to be the first at this event, because I hadn't really paid attention to who won it before,' said Shifeng. 'It's a very good start for me. I have reached the semi-finals a few times last year but lost. 'And this time, to break through and win the championship, I feel it's an affirmation and encouragement for myself. 'The moment I won, I felt quite a release. Because it's indeed been a long time since I won a championship, or even reached a final. 'So, being able to win this championship, I think it's a release, a kind of liberation.'' Shifeng believes he still has some way to go before he can become one of the top players in the world and is keen to use the World Tour Super 500 title win as a springboard for success in bigger events. 'There's still a big gap with the top-tier players, and I haven't won major titles yet,' said Shifeng. 'So, I still hope that through this 500-level championship, I can further improve and strengthen myself. 'Opponents at higher-level tournaments will definitely be stronger. So, after winning this championship, it's in the past. 'I think, the next one starts again, one tournament after another, it's a new challenge. I hope I can continue to make progress,' added Shifeng. It was a great day for China when Wang Zhiyi (women's singles), Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning (women's doubles) and Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping (mixed doubles) also emerged victorious in all-Chinese finals. World No. 2 Zhiyi fought hard to beat world No. 3 Han Yue 13-21, 21-13, 21-18 while Shengshu-Tan Ning defeated Jia Yifan-Zhang Shuxian 21-17, 21-18. Yanzhe-Dongping also proved better on the day than Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin, coming out on top 21-17, 14-21, 21-16 in 63 minutes.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Shifeng makes Malaysia Masters history
KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 4 Li Shifeng made history as the first Chinese shuttler to win the Malaysia Masters men's singles title. Shifeng defeated India's former world No. 1 K. Srikanth 21-11, 21-9 in just 36 minutes at the Axiata Arena today. Shi Feng said he was surprised to learn that he was the first shuttler from China to win the men's crown. And he was more relieved to land his first World Tour title of the year after falling in the semi-final stage of three consecutive tournaments prior to the Malaysia Masters. "I didn't expect to be the first (winner from China) at this event because I wasn't really paying attention to who had won it before. But I think it's a very good start," said Shi Feng. "It's an encouragement and a relief. I haven't won a title in a long time. "But there's still a big gap with the top players as I haven't won titles at Super 1000-level or major competitions like the World Championships." Previously, Shifeng's last tournament win was the Super 500 Kumamoto Masters in November, last year. Despite his defeat, world No. 65 Srikanth produced a commendable performance at the Malaysia Masters, battling his way from the qualifying rounds to the final. It was the Indian's first final appearance since finishing runner-up to Singaporean Loh Kean Yew in the 2021 World Championships.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Shifeng tames exhausted Srikanth to claim Malaysia Masters title
KUALA LUMPUR: Men's singles shuttler Li Shifeng of China secured his first World Tour title of the year after beating giantkiller K. Srikanth of India in the Malaysia Masters final today (May 25). Shifeng, currently world No. 4, overcame a visibly exhausted Srikanth (world No. 65) 21-11, 21-9 in just 36 minutes at the Axiata Stadium. The China No. 2 had not won a title since the Kumamoto Masters in November last year when he defeated Malaysian Leong Jun Hao in the final. Former world No. 1 Srikanth had to go through the qualifying rounds to reach the final in the Malaysia Masters, a Super 500 tournament. Shifeng took home US$35,625 (RM150,800) while Srikanth secured US$18,050 (RM76,360) for his efforts.
The Star
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Naraoka out to play China spoiler again after taming Hongyang
KUALA LUMPUR: Japanese shuttler Kodai Naraoka is out to end China's title quest in the men's singles event in the Malaysian Masters today. Naraoka is plotting a win against Li Shifeng, who is China's last representative left in the meet. The 2023 World Championships silver medallist prevented an all-Chinese semi-final after beating world No. 14 Weng Hongyang 21-12, 21-19 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday. World No. 8 Naraoka was pleased after coming out on top over the tricky Hongyang. 'Hongyang is not easy to play against, so I'm happy that I managed to beat him,' said Naraoka. 'Shifeng is also a tough opponent, so I need to prepare well to make the final.' If Naraoka manages to topple Shifeng, China's wait for a men's singles title in the competition will continue. Surprisingly, the badminton powerhouse have never had a winner in the event since the tournament's inception in 2009. Shifeng is under pressure to end the long wait in the absence of world No. 1 teammate Shi Yuqi. Based on the head-to-head records, Shifeng holds the advantage as he has beaten Naraoka five times in their past eight meetings. The latter's last win over the former came in the 2022 Korean Masters. Both Naraoka and Shifeng are eyeing a place in their first final this year.
The Star
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Naraoka out to end Shifeng's good run in Malaysian Masters semis
Kodai Naraoka. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Japanese shuttler Kodai Naraoka is out to end China's title quest in the men's singles event in the Malaysian Masters. Naraoka is plotting a win against Li Shifeng, who is China's last representative left in the meet. The 2023 World Championships silver medallist prevented an all-Chinese semi-final after beating world No. 14 Weng Hongyang 21-12, 21-19 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Friday (May 23). World No. 8 Naraoka was pleased after coming out on top over the tricky Hongyang. "Hongyang is not easy to play against, so I'm happy that I managed to beat him," said Naraoka. "Shifeng is also a tough opponent, so I need to prepare well to make the final." If Naraoka manages to topple Shifeng, China's wait for a men's singles title in the competition will continue. Surprisingly, the badminton powerhouse have never had a winner in the event since the tournament's inception in 2009. Shifeng is under pressure to end the long wait in the absence of world No. 1 teammate Shi Yuqi. Based on the head-to-head records, Shifeng holds the advantage as he has beaten Naraoka five times in their past eight meetings. The latter's last win over the former came in the 2022 Korean Masters. Both Naraoka and Shifeng are eyeing a place in their first final this year.
