Shi Yuqi and Anders Antonsen cruise into Malaysia Open 2026 semi-finals

The quarterfinal stage of the Malaysia Open 2026 witnessed a display of absolute authority from the world’s elite players. World number 1 Shi Yuqi, who had previously endured a grueling path with several three-game marathons in the earlier rounds, finally enjoyed a much more straightforward path to victory than many experts had predicted.

Facing him across the net was Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu, a competitor known for his unpredictability and resilience. History suggested a potential struggle for the top seed, as Lee had claimed 5 victories in their previous 13 encounters. 

Furthermore, Lee entered this match with high confidence after eliminating the reigning World Tour Finals champion, Christo Popov, in the very first round. However, the anticipated battle never materialized.

From the opening serve, Shi Yuqi took complete control of the court. He displayed masterclass precision in his shuttle control, moving his opponent effortlessly to all four corners. 

The Chinese star remained incredibly disciplined, avoiding unforced errors while putting together long scoring streaks that left Lee searching for answers. The match concluded in a swift 31 minutes, with Shi winning 21-10 and 21-7. This dominant 2-0 victory serves as a powerful statement to his rivals as he enters the semifinals.

A remarkably similar narrative unfolded in the subsequent match between the third seed, Anders Antonsen, and Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto. Antonsen utilized his superior physical stature and reach to dictate the tempo of the game from the start. 

By employing a high-intensity attacking style, the Danish powerhouse utilized his thunderous smashes to penetrate Nishimoto’s defense repeatedly.

Under the constant pressure of Antonsen’s aggression, Nishimoto struggled to find his rhythm and committed numerous unforced errors. Antonsen maintained his focus throughout the 46-minute contest, eventually wrapping up the match with a convincing scoreline of 21-9 and 21-12. 

Following in the footsteps of Shi Yuqi, Antonsen’s progression to the semifinals sets the stage for a high-stakes conclusion to the tournament.

The excellence continued in the women’s singles category, where world number one An Se-young continued her quest to defend her title. The South Korean sensation faced Denmark’s Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt in a match that highlighted her tactical brilliance and defensive solidity. 

An Se-young secured a comfortable 2-0 victory, ensuring that the tournament's biggest names remain on track for potential historic milestones.