Denmark Open: Shi’s All That
Shi Yu Qi proved he’s back to the big time by overcoming Kodai Naraoka in a thrilling three-gamer to reach the Denmark Open 2022 final. In just his third tournament this year, a Super 750 showpiece match was beyond…
· DIANNE PIERRE
Shi Yu Qi proved he’s back to the big time by overcoming Kodai Naraoka in a thrilling three-gamer to reach the Denmark Open 2022 final. In just his third tournament this year, a Super 750 showpiece match was beyond any target he had set himself.
“Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would make a final this quickly,” jested the 26-year-old following his 21-15 9-21 24-22 victory. “It’s not in my nature to think that way, I just take one match at a time.”
Today's final would be his first since the 2019 Macau Open, after coming through a gruelling 76-minute tussle that saw the Chinese big hitter hold three match points, only to go one down himself, before sweeping away an impressive Naraoka in tricky conditions.