BADMINTON/Taiwan's Chi Yu-jen reaches semis at Indonesia Masters, Chou Tien-chen exits

Taipei, Jan. 23 (CNA) Taiwanese badminton player Chi Yu-jen (戚又仁) continued his remarkable run at the 2026 Indonesia Masters on Friday, advancing to the men's singles semifinals and leaving Taiwan's hopes resting on him, with Chou Tien-chen (周天成) eliminated at the quarterfinal stage.

World No. 27 Chi defeated Singapore's world No. 22 Jason Heng (鄭加恆) 21-18, 13-21, 21-13 in one hour and two minutes in Jakarta to secure a place in the Super 500 tournament's semifinal.

Chi, 28, had never previously reached the semifinal of a Super 500-level tournament or higher.

The win followed Chi's upset victory on Thursday over Denmark's world No. 3 Anders Antonsen, who he had lost to in their previous two meetings.

Chi faces Indonesia's world No. 18 Alwi Farhan on Saturday.

Meanwhile, world No. 6 Chou fell to Singapore's world No. 10 Loh Kean Yew (駱建佑) 21-13, 21-18.

After three tournaments this season, Taiwan's top men's singles player has yet to reach a semifinal.