China were in the hunt for all five titles, but things went awry for them in the mixed doubles, with Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei turning on a high-energy performance against Jiang Zhen Bang/Wei Ya Xin. In just 40 minutes Chen and Toh had made history as the first Malaysians to win the mixed doubles world title.

Then it was two-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi against 2020 Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei. Yamaguchi’s season has seen her some way below her best, for her last title had come at the Kumamoto Masters last November.

Except for the first game, however, Chen couldn’t challenge Yamaguchi, affected perhaps by an ankle injury she’d picked up in her semifinal against An Se Young. Yamaguchi had her third world title in 49 minutes – climbing alongside Carolina Marin as the most successful women’s singles champion.

Credits of article and pictures to BWF.