Gutsy Wang Breaks Home Hearts

Wang Zhi Yi, cramping close to the end of an intense battle with home favourite Pusarla V Sindhu, gutsed her way to the quarterfinals at the BWF World Championships 2026.

The third game, played at a punishing pace in interminable rallies, saw the Indian inch ahead. Wang looked in serious trouble as she twice fell to the floor in pain clutching her left leg, but Pusarla couldn’t quite capitalise on the moment. The 21-11 15-21 21-17 result in 68 minutes gave Wang a quarterfinal place against Line Christophersen.

“In that moment I just told myself to keep going, never give up,” said Wang. “I had to dig deep; I’ve never won a match like this after suffering cramps.

“It was a tough match today. She is a very strong opponent and she has very hard attacks. I’m happy my gameplan worked and I’m proud of my performance today.”

“I should have converted that situation,” said Pusarla. “At 17-all I should have played safer. It was important to be a little more patient.

“I couldn’t control the shuttle in the first game, but in the second I got some smashes in. In the end, two-three points mattered.”

In men’s doubles, Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang staged an escape act against Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen. Trailing 10-16 in the third, the Chinese managed to pull level and surge ahead at the end, 22-20 8-21 21-19.

China, despite the loss of Chen Yu Fei (to Pornpawee Chochuwong) and Li Shi Feng (to Kodai Naraoka), ensured healthy representation in the quarterfinals, and were particularly impressive in mixed doubles, with all four pairs making the quarterfinals.