China Open 2025 Photo: VCG

China's Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping successfully defended their mixed doubles title to claim the VICTOR China Open 2025 mixed doubles championship on Sunday. At this year's tournament, the Chinese team secured gold in all other four categories in advance except for men's doubles.

"The competition is the same every year, but the feeling at the moment is always different, so we treat it like it's the first time and give it our all," Feng told media after the match.

"We've always been on an upward trend," Huang said. 

"What's really commendable is that during this tournament, we were able to solve problems in the middle of the match, which is our biggest improvement."

Liu Yu, a Beijing-based sports commentator, told the Global Times on Sunday that the key to their success lies in their adaptability and on-the-spot adjustments on the court.

"The pace of badminton matches changes rapidly. What Feng meant by 'we can solve problems during the match' is referring to their handling of the mid-game and crucial points," Liu said.

In Saturday's semifinals across various categories, the Chinese team had already ­secured both the gold and silver medals in the men's singles, women's singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. 

In the first three categories, China's badminton team won all six semifinal matches, with the only loss coming from an internal battle between Guo Xinwa and Chen Fanghui. This ensured China's team claimed both the gold and silver medals in the men's singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles events in this Super 1000 event.

Among them, the performance of young men's singles player Wang Zhengxing was particularly impressive. He defeated world No.2, Denmark's Anders Antonsen, 2-0, and advanced to the men's singles final, marking his first time reaching such a high-level final.

Top men's singles player, Shi Yuqi, continued his strong form, defeating Chinese ­Taipei's veteran Chou Tien-chen 21-13, 22-20 to advance to the final for the second consecutive week, following his performance at the Japan Open.

In the women's singles semifinals, South Korea's world No.1 An Se-young was defeated by China's Han Yue, who won the first game 21-19. In the second game, Han was leading 11-6 when An retired due to an injury. According to an statement, her knee had been bothering her from the start of the match and the injury worsened, leading her to retire.

Liu noted that although An's injury forced her to retire, Han's performance in the first game was commendable. An's competitive spirit remained evident, and despite the injury, she had been playing at a high level before her withdrawal.

"Han's net play was very delicate, especially in terms of controlling the pace of the match, she showed strong adaptability," Liu said. 

"When facing a top opponent like An, Han's calmness and decision-making abilities were particularly outstanding."

The only final in which no Chinese players participated was the men's doubles. China's sole remaining duo, Liang Weikang and Wang Chang, struggled with their form and were defeated 0-2 by the Indonesian pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri, stopping at the semifinals.