Indian badminton players experienced contrasting fortunes on the opening day of the China Masters 2026 Super 750 badminton tournament held in Shenzhen, China. Experienced campaigner Kidambi Srikanth delivered a commanding performance to secure his spot in the pre-quarterfinals, whereas star shuttler Lakshya Sen made an early exit following a disappointing straight-game defeat. Meanwhile, 17-year-old prodigy Tanvi Sharma and the mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto also notched decisive victories to move into the next round.
Kidambi Srikanth Dominates Round of 32 in Straight Games
In the men's singles Round of 32 clash, Kidambi Srikanth took on Chi Yu Jen of Chinese Taipei. Srikanth asserted his dominance right from the opening rally, utilizing sharp court coverage and aggressive net play to push his opponent onto the back foot. He successfully closed out the initial game 21-16 without facing major resistance.
Maintaining his tactical momentum into the second game, Srikanth countered Chi Yu Jen's offensive attempts with disciplined defense and precise placement. Winning the second game 21-15, Srikanth wrapped up the match in just 35 minutes to comfortably book his berth in the pre-quarterfinals of the Super 750 tournament.
Unforced Errors Cost Lakshya Sen Against Canada's Victor Lai
Expectations were high for India's Lakshya Sen, but the young star struggled to find form in his opening fixture against Canada's Victor Lai, who holds the world rank 9 spot. Lakshya conceded frequent errors throughout the contest, failing to adjust to his opponent's pace.
Lai capitalized early in the first game, punishing Lakshya's positioning mistakes to claim it 21-14. In the second game of the 38-minute encounter, Lakshya appeared completely out of touch, allowing the Canadian player to race ahead and seal a dominant 21-7 win. The defeat drew an unexpected early curtain on Lakshya's campaign in Shenzhen.
Tanvi Sharma and Mixed Doubles Pair Cruise to Next Round
Adding positive momentum to the Indian camp, 17-year-old Tanvi Sharma put up a resilient display in the women's singles category. Facing Denmark's Amalie Schulz, the teenager displayed maturity beyond her years, securing key points during crucial phases of both sets to earn a 21-16, 21-17 victory and advance to the second round.
India's mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto also enjoyed a swift outing. Confronting Thailand's Tonnakoorn Saehang and Tonicha Saehang, the Indian duo established complete authority over the court. They swept past their Thai opponents 21-8, 21-9 in straight sets to advance to the next round of the tournament.
