China Masters: Still Chasing the Feeling

At 37, Tan Wee Kiong could be forgiven for slowing down.

Instead, the Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist is chasing something that, for him, still feels as high as ever – the winning feeling.

Tan and Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub Azriyn continued their remarkable LI-NING China Masters 2026 run on Friday, battling past sixth seeds Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani 21-17 16-21 21-19 to reach only their third HSBC BWF World Tour semifinal as a pair, and their first since Kumamoto Masters 2024.

And in the process, Tan became the oldest semifinalist in tournament history.

His age, however, seems almost incidental to a player whose passion remains impossible to miss. Every rally was worn on his sleeve – the fist pumps, the animated reactions, the intensity that never appeared to fade.

“I try to stay focused and just enjoy the game,” said Tan, who partnered Azriyn in 2023. “We always talk about how we want to achieve something before our careers end. So, this momentum is good for me right now.”

For a pair whose previous best finishes were quarterfinals at the 2025 Japan and Denmark Opens, this breakthrough has arrived after a season of modest returns. Before Shenzhen, their only notable progress this year had been two Super 300 quarterfinals.

“As a pair, Azriyn and I haven’t achieved anything yet,” Tan said. “So, whether it’s a small tournament or a big tournament, we hope to win something. That winning feeling remains a big motivation.”

Azriyn, 33, believes their ability to lean on each other has been just as important.

“We supported each other well this week. Communication was good when the situation was intense,” he said.

Next come fourth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty, who lead their head-to-head 2-0.

“The main thing is to carry this into the next tournament. Not just this one, but the next one, and the one after that.”

Azriyn’s message is simpler: “I’m grateful we made the semifinals but we want to keep going. We want more.”