China Open: Liu/Tan Complete Unprecedented Treble

Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning marked a watershed season at their home event VICTOR China Open 2026 on Sunday.

The world No.1s etched their names into the history books after becoming the first women’s pair to capture three Super 1000 titles in a season since the HSBC BWF World Tour was introduced in 2018, sealing the milestone with a 21-14 21-19 victory over Yuki Fukushima/Mayu Matsumoto.

The triumph carried extra significance as the Chinese pair avenged their only defeat in a Super 1000 final, against the same Japanese duo at last month’s Indonesia Open. It also saw Liu and Tan emulate Wang Xiaoli/Yu Yang as the last home partnership to successfully defend the women’s doubles title in 2012, while extending China’s dominance in the event to a fifth consecutive edition.

“Preparations were very thorough. And from the previous two matches, we were able to control the drift and manage the court conditions,” said Liu. “Some difficulties were encountered but we figured out solutions together.”

The tricky conditions inside the arena demanded constant adjustments but the reigning world champions never lost sight of their objective.

“There was a big wind in this arena so we knew we had to find a way to control the match,” Tan said. “We needed to play to our strengths. We really wanted to win so we prepared a lot. We wanted revenge for the loss in Indonesia.”

Despite their place in the record books, Tan insisted the achievement was never on their minds.

“We don’t really think about the Super 1000 record, we still need to try hard to win every tournament.”

With another big title secured and confidence soaring, Liu and Tan now head to next month’s World Championships in New Delhi looking well placed to defend their crown.

Earlier, Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui upset top-seeded compatriots Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping 25-23 20-22 21-15 for their first win in eight meetings, ending a title drought that had stretched for more than a year since lifting the All England in March 2025.