Canada’s Brian Yang produced an impressive comeback to defeat China’s Shi Yu Qi 21–16, 19–21, 21–18 in the Round of 16 at the Japan Open 2026 on 16 July 2026. Yang recovered after dropping the second game to seal a memorable three-game victory, earning a place in the quarter-finals of the BWF Super 750 tournament.
Yang made a confident start to the contest, taking control of the rallies with disciplined shot selection and consistent attacking play. The Canadian maintained his composure throughout the opening game, closing it out 21–16 to move one game away from victory.
Shi Yu Qi responded in the second game, raising the intensity and finding greater rhythm from the back of the court. The Chinese star edged a tightly contested battle 21–19, forcing the match into a deciding third game after winning several crucial points late in the set.
The deciding game lived up to expectations as both players traded points throughout. Yang remained composed under pressure, producing accurate winners and minimizing unforced errors to claim the final game 21–18. His resilience in the closing stages secured one of the standout victories of the tournament and a deserved place in the quarter-finals.
Standout Performances
- Brian Yang (Canada): Defeated Shi Yu Qi 21–16, 19–21, 21–18.
- Shi Yu Qi (China): Recovered to win the second game and force a decider.
- Round: Men’s Singles Round of 16.
- Result: Brian Yang advanced to the quarter-finals.
Yang’s strong opening game gave him early momentum, but the key moment came in the deciding game, where he held his nerve during the closing rallies to complete a hard-earned upset.
Match Statistics
- Tournament: Japan Open 2026
- Category: Men’s Singles
- Round: Round of 16
- Date: 16 July 2026
- Winner: Brian Yang (Canada)
- Runner-up: Shi Yu Qi (China)
- Final Score: 21–16, 19–21, 21–18
- Result: Brian Yang advanced to the quarter-finals.