Goodbye, old rival - China's Qingchen calls it a day

Thanks for memories: Chen Qingchen of China (right) and Jia Yifan in action during the semi-finals at the Denmark Open. - AP

PETALING JAYA: Goodbye, old rival Chen Qingchen!

World No. 2 Pearly-Thinaah have bid their farewell to one of their strongest opponent Qingchen of China after the latter decided to retire from the sport at the French Open.

On Friday, Pearly-Thinaah had lost 16-21, 16-21 to Qingchen and her partner Jia Yifan in the quarter-finals at the Glaz Arena in Cesson Sevigne on Friday.

And yesterday, the 28-year-old Qingchen and Yifan were surprisingly beaten 16-21, 17-21 by teammates Li Yijing-Luo Xumin in the semi-finals in what turned out to be their last appearance in an international competition together.

Pearly-Thinaah has only beaten the China pair once in nine meetings, and it was achieved at the second round of the All-England last year.

Qingchen will leave behind a remarkable legacy after capturing numerous titles with her partner including gold in the Paris Olympics last year and four World Championships crowns (2017, 2021, 2022, 2023).

Yifan though is not ready to quit just yet and will resume her partnership with Zhang Shuxian.

Qingchen did not state the reason but she has been battling with illness after the Paris Olympic and infact, played with younger partners for a while before reuniting with Yifan recently at the Denmark Open last week, where they reached the semi-finals.

 

Qingchen said she would continue to support Yifan. 

"There are so many memories of us playing together. To be able to return to a high level and reach consecutive back-to-back semi-finals, I think we are really satisfied," Qingchen told the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

"After this, I will travel to tournaments to watch Yifan and cheer her on. I’ll be the one saying ‘let’s go’ in the crowd."

Yifan said: "This is not the result we wanted and we’re not thinking about the result.

"We wanted to do our best for our last dance. I’m very happy when I step onto court with Chen. It feels like old times.

"My career with Qingchen has been perfect. We have won almost everything together.

"I still have a long playing career ahead of me. I want to give my best every day," added the 28-year-old Yifan.