WORLD No. 1 Shi Yuqi from China started off with a two-game win on Wednesday at the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, which is in Zhejiang Province in eastern China. This event, which has been taking place in the city since 2023, brings together the top eight players based on their performance in the BWF World Tour this year. Each country can send up to two players, and the reigning Olympic and world champions automatically qualify.
Image - VCG
Shi, the top men's singles player in China, began his attempt to defend his title by beating another Chinese player, Li Shifeng, with scores of 21-13 and 23-21 in the group stage match.
Shi mentioned that both he and his opponent were dealing with injuries, but they both played well, which was a good sign.
Shi had a foot injury from the recent National Games in China.
In other men's singles matches, Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn beat Indonesia's Jonatan Christie with scores of 21-10 and 21-14.
France's Christo Popov narrowly beat Denmark's Anders Antonsen in a closely fought match with scores of 21-13, 12-21, and 21-19. Japan's Kodai Naraoka beat Chou Tien-chen from Chinese Taipei with scores of 21-17 and 21-18.
In women's singles, Olympic gold medalist An Se-young from the Republic of Korea defeated Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani with scores of 21-16, 8-21, and 21-8.
An Se-young, who already has 10 titles in 2025, could tie the single-season record of 11 titles set by Japan's Kento Momota in 2019 if she wins the tournament in Hangzhou.
The home favorite Wang Zhiyi easily beat Han Yue from China with scores of 21-14 and 21-5 in an all-Chinese match.
Japan's Akane Yamaguchi beat her countrymate Tomoka Miyazaki with scores of 21-14 and 21-17. Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong overcame her teammate Ratchanok Intanon with scores of 21-18, 14-21, and 21-10.