BWF Worlds Day 3: Top-seeded Feng/Huang knocked out in stunning upset

Day three of the 2025 BWF World Championships saw the full round of 16 confirmed, with China's world No. 1 mixed-doubles pair Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping suffering a shock defeat, becoming the highest-seeded casualties of the tournament so far.

After receiving a first-round bye, the Chinese duo - nicknamed "Phoenix" - opened their campaign against Denmark's Mathias Christiansen and Alexandra Boje once ranked as high as eighth in the world.

Guo Xinwa (R) /Chen Fanghui of China compete during the mixed doubles second round match against Chen Cheng Kuan/Hsu Yin-Hui of Chinese Taipei at the BWF World Championships 2025 in Paris, France, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

"The opponents adapted their tactics better in the second and third games. Our adjustments weren't timely, and we ended up playing at their pace," Feng admitted after losing the match at 14-21, 21-13, 21-18.

China's Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin endured a three-game battle but eventually overcame England's Callum Hemming and Estelle Van Leeuwen 2-1 (18-21, 21-13, 21-15).

In the men's singles, Shi Yuqi and Weng Hongyang both posted straight-game victories to progress, while Lu Guangzu fell 2-1 to Canadian youngster Victor Lai, exiting in the round of 32.

On the women's side, fourth seed Chen Yufei was pushed to three games by Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt before prevailing 21-13, 16-21, 21-10.

Chen noted the venue's shifting wind conditions after the match: "I realized today's wind direction was different from my first match, so I had to adjust my tactics on the spot."

Apart from the home women's doubles pair of Tea Margueritte and Flavie Vallet, who were knocked out, every French player advanced on the day.

Christo Popov dispatched Angus Ng Ka Long of Hong Kong, China 21-15, 21-16, while his brother Toma Junior cruised past Sri Lanka's Viren Nettasinghe, and Alex Lanier delivered a 21-17, 21-13 victory over Croatia's Aria Dinata.