Lee Cheuk-yiu Reaches China Masters Semis, Ending 20-Month Drought
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong badminton star Lee Cheuk-yiu ended a frustrating 20-month wait for a World Tour semifinal berth with a commanding straight-games victory over India's former world championship silver medalist Srikanth Kidambi at the China Masters in Shenzhen on Thursday. The win provides a timely confidence boost ahead of his dual role at the Asian Games later this month.
Key Points
- Lee Cheuk-yiu defeated Srikanth Kidambi 2:0 (21:16, 21:16) in under 40 minutes at the Super 750 China Masters in Shenzhen
- The victory ended a 20-month semifinal drought since his runner-up finish at the India Open in January last year
- Lee, who turned 30 on August 28, reached the semifinals as a birthday present to himself at this Super 750 event
- The Hong Kong No. 1 defeated his teammate Ng Chee-pong and France's Toma Junior Popov en route to the quarterfinals
- His semifinal opponent will be world No. 2 Christo Popov of France, younger brother of the player Lee beat earlier in the tournament
Why It Matters
This semifinal appearance carries significant weight as the China Masters serves as the final tune-up event before the Asian Games, where Lee will compete in both men's singles and the men's team event . The victory against a proven world-class opponent like Kidambi, a former world championship silver medalist, demonstrates that Lee is peaking at the right time for the continental Games . Breaking the semifinal barrier after 20 months could restore the confidence that has eluded him since his India Open runner-up finish, potentially making him a genuine medal contender in Nagoya .
This semifinal appearance carries significant weight as the China Masters serves as the final tune-up event before the Asian Games, where Lee will compete in both men's singles and the men's team event . The victory against a proven world-class opponent like Kidambi, a former world championship silver medalist, demonstrates that Lee is peaking at the right time for the continental Games . Breaking the semifinal barrier after 20 months could restore the confidence that has eluded him since his India Open runner-up finish, potentially making him a genuine medal contender in Nagoya .