Source:REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
[Saba Sports News] In the women’s doubles semifinal of the 2025 China Masters, the newly crowned World Champions Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning fought hard for 83 minutes against South Korea’s Kim Hye-jeong/Kong Hee-yong but narrowly lost 18-21, 21-18, 19-21, missing the final. Watching the match, it was evident that the “Altar” pair were exhausted. They gave their absolute all while dealing with physical discomfort and poor form. Although the young pair stated before the World Championships that they felt no pressure and aimed to challenge every opponent, intangible pressure still accompanied them. An irregular menstrual cycle caused Liu Shengshu physical discomfort, making it difficult for her to maintain focus for extended periods on court. Tan Ning admitted: “My period is about to come, and my body’s reaction is quite significant; my waist is particularly sore. I haven’t been able to fully recover since the World Championships; I feel very tired.” Among the five individual World Champions from the Paris World Championships, only Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning chose to compete continuously. No matter how unwell they felt, once they stepped on the court, the “Altar” pair would do everything to win. “Giving your best even when you’re not in good condition” has always been the goal of the “Altar” combination.