For a player searching for rhythm in a difficult season, Hong Kong China’s Lee Cheuk Yiu could hardly have picked a better stage to rediscover it than KFF Singapore Open 2026.

On Wednesday, the world No.23 fought back to beat world No.9 Lin Chun-Yi 13-21 21-13 21-19; the result especially sweet considering Lin arrived as the All England champion. Lee, meanwhile, had spent much of 2026 trying to shake off a frustrating run of early exits. Since reaching the Malaysia Open quarterfinals in January, he has failed to go that far in his next five tournaments.

But under the bright Singapore Indoor Stadium lights, Lee looked far more like the player who has long been capable of troubling the world’s best.

“It was insane,” Lee said afterwards with a laugh, describing a contest between “two attacking players” who traded blows all afternoon. Even the windy conditions became part of the tactical puzzle, favouring aggressive play and keeping both men on edge.

After dropping the opening game, Lee flipped the momentum in the second with sharper pace and better control. The decider, however, nearly slipped away from him.

Leading 19-16, Lee watched as Lin suddenly surged back into contention. Yet instead of panicking, Lee leaned on the simplest advice imaginable.

“Come on, keep fighting,” his coach told him.

Not exactly Churchillian, but effective enough.

Lee held firm in the closing rallies to seal arguably his best win of the season, later crediting “a little more patience” for helping him survive the finish line nerves.

There was also perhaps a psychological edge. Lee had beaten Lin in February at the Asia Team Championships and insisted he came into the match determined only to “focus on my game”.

The reward is another intriguing challenge against Koki Watanabe. On paper, Lee may even carry momentum into that encounter, having not lost to the Japanese in their last four meetings dating back to March 2023.

→ Results (Day 2)

→ Order of play (Day 3)

WHAT OTHERS SAID

“I was hoping to pump myself up a little. Lately, I’ve looked a bit heavy and flat on court so I tried to get myself more focused and excited by shouting.” – Chen Yu Fei on cheering herself on in the three-game win over Letshanaa Karupathevan

“It wasn’t an easy match and it was a long one. We need to focus on fixing our mistakes so we don’t repeat them again tomorrow.” – Muhammad Shohibul Fikri after he and Fajar Alfian were made to slog by the Lee twins of Chinese Taipei

“Because now we are among the top pairs, those below us are trying to chase us down. We know how that feels because we were the chasers not so long ago. Less pressure back then.” – Toh Ee Wei all philosophical after she and Chen Tang Jie defeated compatriots Hoo Pang Ron/Lai Pei Jing