By SRTeam In a gripping semifinal at the All England Open Badminton Championships in Birmingham on March 15, 2025, China’s top seed Shi Yuqi edged out compatriot Li Shifeng in a three-game thriller, winning 21-9, 20-22, 21-19. This victory propels Shi into his fourth All England final, bringing him within reach of his second title at this prestigious event.
The match began with Shi dominating the first game, showcasing his superior form and tactical prowess. However, Li, the sixth seed, mounted a formidable comeback in the second game, narrowly clinching it 22-20. The decider was a testament to both players’ resilience and skill, with Shi ultimately prevailing 21-19.
Reflecting on the match, Shi acknowledged the intensity of the latter stages: “The last two games were balanced. We both played at a high level and were extremely tired in the end.”
Shi’s opponent in the final will be Lee Chia-hao from Chinese Taipei, who secured his spot by defeating French hopeful Alex Lanier 19-21, 21-14, 21-17. The upcoming final promises to be an exciting contest, with both players demonstrating exceptional form throughout the tournament.
In the women’s singles, South Korea’s top seed An Se-young advanced to the final after overcoming Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 21-12, 21-17. She will face China’s second seed Wang Zhiyi, who defeated compatriot Han Yue 21-10, 21-19 in her semifinal match. Wang expressed her anticipation for the final, stating, “I know she is unbeaten since the beginning of this year, but I feel I’m also in good form.”
The tournament also guarantees a gold medal for China in the mixed doubles, with pairs Guo Xinwa/Chen Fanghui and Feng Yanzhe/Wei Yaxin set to compete in the final. In the women’s doubles, Japanese pairs Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida and Yuki Fukushima/Mayu Matsumoto will vie for the title. The men’s doubles final will feature Indonesia’s Leo Rolly Carnando/Bagas Maulana against South Korea’s Seo Seung-jae/Kim Won-ho.
As the All England Open approaches its climax, fans worldwide eagerly await the crowning of new champions in this historic tournament.