Liu Kuang Heng and Hsu Yin-hui delivered a major upset at the LI-NING China Masters 2026, knocking out newly crowned world champions Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue in straight games, 23-21, 21-10, in just 38 minutes.
Liu/Hsu showed composure and aggression, coming from 19-17 down in the first game to save a game point and clinch it 23-21. Riding that momentum, they dominated the second game, capitalizing on the pressure that had shifted to the French pair. “Knowing they had just become world champions, we naturally really wanted to challenge them; we wanted to beat them even more,” said Liu.
Hsu credited their success to effective offense and executing their game plan: “It was our offence; we did what we were supposed to and executed our game plan well. That gave us the platform to build on early on.”
The win marks another highlight in Liu/Hsu’s steady rise—they recently claimed the US Open and finished as Canada Open runners-up. Hsu pointed to improved communication and serve-and-receive routines as keys to their progress.
For Gicquel and Delrue, the defeat is a reminder of the pressures that come with being world champions. “It wasn’t a good performance,” admitted Gicquel. “The start was okay but then we got a bit stressed. We forgot to play and make them move.”
Liu/Hsu will look to build on their momentum as the China Masters continues.
Photo Credit: BWF / Badmintonphoto (@Badmintonphoto)
