China Open: Outsiders Steal Show
Wednesday at VICTOR China Open 2026 served a reminder that rankings sometimes count for little, as a trio of inspired performances sent fancied second and seventh seeds crashing out in Changzhou.
· PREM KUMAR
The biggest statement came from Denmark's Rasmus Gemke, who produced his best victory in years to stun men's singles second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-13 8-21 21-19. The world No.30 held his nerve after the deciding game reached 19-all, sealing his first win over the Thai world No.2 in three years and his first victory against a top-five player since defeating then world No.4 Li Shi Feng at the China Masters in November 2023.
"I kept fighting even after winning the first game. I believed in my game and somehow managed to stay in the match. When we got to the crucial points, I took my chances," he said. "I tried to control the conditions out there. It's not like I felt I controlled everything well but I gave it everything I had.
"Being aggressive was my only chance – try to win the points quickly and make him a little uncomfortable. I think I succeeded with that. Today's my day and I'm so proud of my performance."