Thailand’s badminton campaign in Shenzhen has taken a dramatic turn. Kunlavut Vitidsarn is through to the quarter-finals, but former world champion Ratchanok Intanon has been knocked out in a major upset.
Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn continued his run at the LI-NING China Masters 2026, advancing to the men’s singles quarter-finals after defeating China’s Lu Guangzu in straight games, 21-17, 21-12, on Thursday.
But the good news was tempered by a surprise defeat for fellow Thai star Ratchanok Intanon, who was beaten by Bulgaria’s Kaloyana Nalbantova, 22-20, 21-17, in the women’s singles round of 16.
🇹🇭 Kunlavut Keeps Thailand’s Title Hopes Alive
Third-seeded Kunlavut entered the last-16 clash against Lu after surviving a tight opening-round battle with Japan’s Yushi Tanaka, winning 15-21, 21-14, 22-20.
Against Lu, however, the Thai star looked far more composed.
Kunlavut controlled the contest to secure a 21-17, 21-12 victory, continuing his strong record against the Chinese player. Available head-to-head records show Kunlavut has now won nine of their 10 meetings.
The victory sends the Thai world-class shuttler into Friday’s quarter-finals, where he is scheduled to face fifth-seeded Danish star Anders Antonsen.
That matchup could provide one of the biggest tests of Kunlavut’s tournament so far.
Ratchanok’s China Masters Run Ends in Shock
Ratchanok Intanon’s campaign ended in frustrating fashion.
The sixth seed and world No. 6 was beaten by 20-year-old Bulgarian Kaloyana Nalbantova, ranked 39th in the world, in a match that swung dramatically in the second game.
Ratchanok led 15-10 in the second game, putting herself in position to force a deciding game.
Instead, Nalbantova fought back.
After the score reached 17-17, the Bulgarian won four consecutive points to close out the match 21-17 and complete one of the biggest victories of her career.
The result also gives Nalbantova her first Super 750 quarter-final appearance. She will face Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki in the last eight.
A Tournament Full of Upsets
The result was part of a broader upset-filled day at the China Masters.
The BWF reported that underdogs were making their presence felt across several categories on Thursday, with established names falling earlier than expected.
That makes Kunlavut’s progression particularly significant for Thailand: while Ratchanok’s exit removes one of the country’s biggest women’s singles names from the title race, Kunlavut remains firmly in contention.
🇹🇭 More Thai Firepower Remains
Thailand’s challenge isn’t limited to Kunlavut.
Women’s singles player Supanida Katethong also reached the quarter-finals after defeating Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Pin-chian, and she faces Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in the last eight.
The women’s doubles pairing of Benyapa Aimsaard and Nuntakarn Aimsaard also advanced after a three-game victory over Malaysia’s Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan.
The LI-NING China Masters 2026 is being staged in Shenzhen from September 1-6 as a BWF World Tour Super 750 event, with total prize money of US$1.25 million.
The Bigger Picture
For Kunlavut, Friday’s quarter-final is more than simply another knockout match.
He enters the final stages with Thailand’s men’s singles hopes on his shoulders—and with a difficult opponent waiting across the net.
Kunlavut is through. Ratchanok is out. And now the pressure rises.
The question is: Can Thailand’s leading men’s singles star turn his quarter-final run into another deep China Masters campaign?
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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