Malaysia Masters 2025: Shi Feng Makes History As First Chinese Men’s Singles Champion
KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- Not even the legendary Lin Dan achieved it but Li Shi Feng had etched his name in the history by becoming the first Chinese men’s singles shuttler to win the Malaysia Masters by clinching the title at the 2025 edition held at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, today.
The 25-year-old claimed the victory after outplaying unseeded Indian shuttler Srikanth Kidambi in straight sets, 21-11, 21-9 in just 36 minutes.
“I didn’t expect to be the first at this event because I hadn’t really paid attention to who won it before, but maybe recently I have paid some attention, but I think it’s a very good start. So, being able to win deserves a celebration.
“Because in previous interviews, I mentioned that every year I reach the semi-finals and this time to break through and win the championship, I feel it’s an affirmation and encouragement for myself,” he told reporters here today.
The world No. 4 will now shift his focus to the Singapore Open 2025 which begins this Tuesday (June 27) where he is set to face Japan’s Koki Watanabe in the first round.
For the record, Lin Dan only made it to the first round at the Malaysia Masters in both 2018 and 2020.
Meanwhile, top seed Wang Zhi Yi of China lived up to her billing as the top seed as she came from behind to defend women’s singles title for two years in a row, beating her compatriot and second seed Han Yue, 13-21, 21-13, 21-18, in 75-minute duel.
The world No. 2 Zhi Yi was delighted at retaining the Malaysia Masters title in her happy hunting ground, saying the victory has inspired her to continue competing in this country.
In mixed doubles action, second seeds from China Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping took 63 minutes to stun top seed and teammates Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin 21-17, 14-21, 21-16, to claim their back-to-back titles after winning the Thailand Open 2025 last week.
Dong Ping admitted they struggled with Zhen Bang and Ya Xin’s playing style in the second set but was pleased with the adjustments they made in the decider, which ultimately secured their triumph as the new champions of the Super 500 tournament, here.
Another Chinese pair, Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning also claimed the women’s doubles title after defeating compatriots Jia Yi Fan-Zhang Shu Xian in straight sets, 21-17, 21-18.
Winners of the singles events will receive a lucrative payout of approximately USD35,625 (RM150,693) while in the doubles categories, the winning pairs in each discipline will walk away with approximately USD37,525 (RM158,730).
-- BERNAMA
