Lakshya Sen faced an early exit from China Masters 2026, losing in the opening round to world no.9 Canada's Victor Lai. After BWF World Tour title at Taipei Open in August, progressed to the next round with a win in straight games. Veteran Kidambi Srikanth also won in straight games. India's ace men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty outclassed Malaysian pair to progress to next round as well.
In the men's singles clash, Lakshya suffered his third defeat to Lai. The Canadian beat Lakshya 21-14, 21-7. The match ended in just 38 minutes. Lai had won a bronze medal at the World Championships on Indian soil last month.
Lakshya had started well with a 4-0 lead in the opening game. But, Lai soon gained rhythm and thwarted Lakshya's plans, forcing the Indian shuttler to make errors. In the second game, Lai took an 11-4 lead, ruling out Lakhsya's comeback.
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Srikanth, Tanvi, Reddy-Shetty, Kapila-Tanisha win in straight games
While Lakshya crashed out Srikanth advanced after beating Chinese Taipei's Chi Yu Jen in 21-16 21-15 in the men's singles opening round. Srikanth will face Lai in the next round.
Tanvi Sharma made it to women's singles round with a 21-16 21-17 win over Denmark's Amalie Schulz. The 17-year-old will face Japan's Tomoka Miyazaki in the next round. Tanvi had won the Taipei Open in August 2026.
Rankireddy, Shetty outclassed Malaysia's Junaidi Arif and Kang Khai Zing 21-11 21-16. Their next match is against France's Popov brothers.
In the mixed doubles event, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto beat Thailand's Tonnakorn Saeheng and Tonnicha Saeheng 21-8 21-9. Their next match is against Chinese Taipei's Liu Kuang Heng and Hsu Yin-Hui.
Other Indian shuttlers to crash out
But, the other mixed doubles pair of Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Gadde crashed out with 16-21 18-21 loss to Chinese Taipei's Wu Guan Xun and Lee Chia Hsin.
Another Indian to face an early exit was Devika Sihag. Bulgaria's Kaloyana Nalbantova beat her 21-18 21-15.