Watch the Full Final
A Gritty Start, Then Complete Control
Competing with a lingering foot injury, Shi Yuqi faced early pressure as Antonsen surged ahead 6–1 in the opening game. However, as the match wore on, Antonsen’s physical intensity dipped slightly, allowing Shi to steadily close the gap.
The first game turned into a tense battle of nerve and patience, with both players locked at
20–20. Shi held his composure in the crucial moments, winning two straight points to take the opener 22–20 and seize momentum.
That breakthrough proved decisive.
Shi Yuqi Shifts Gears in the Second Game
Riding confidence from the opening game, Shi Yuqi elevated his performance in the second.
His movement sharpened, his attack became more varied, and his control of the forecourt
increasingly forced Antonsen into defensive positions.
Shi dominated rallies from the baseline, mixing steep smashes with precise half-smashes and tight net exchanges. Antonsen struggled to keep pace as the score quickly tilted in Shi’s favor.
The Chinese star raced to a commanding lead and closed the match emphatically 21–7, sealing the championship in straight games.
Historic Win and Prize Money
The triumph capped a flawless run for Shi Yuqi, who won all three of his King Cup matches without dropping a game. Along the way, he set two milestones: becoming the newest King Cup champion and the first Chinese men’s singles winner of the event.
Shi’s victory earned him a winner’s cheque of 1.2 million yuan (approximately USD $170733.48), while runner-up Anders Antonsen took home 600,000 yuan (approximately USD $85366.74).
Shi Yuqi Reflects on Injury and Season
Speaking after the final, Shi Yuqi acknowledged that his foot injury was still present but
emphasized his ability to manage it during the tournament.
“The injury does affect me a little, but once I’m on court, I focus entirely on the match,”
he said. “With medication, treatment, and concentration, the impact felt smaller than expected.”
Looking back on his 2025 season, Shi rated his own performance highly while leaving room for growth, saying he would give himself “about 90 points” for the year.
Bronze Medal Result
Earlier in the day, France’s Alex Lanier claimed the bronze medal after defeating
Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie 21–17, 21–19.
Eyes on the Next Challenge
With less than ten days remaining before the Malaysia Open begins on January 6,
attention now turns to Shi Yuqi’s recovery. As the season’s first Super 1000 event approaches, hopes remain that the King Cup champion can fully heal and continue his momentum into 2026.
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