Shi Yuqi exits China Masters 2026 in first round, loses to Loh Kean Yew
Synopsis
World champion Shi Yuqi, still shaking off a post-Worlds fever, was dismantled in just 30 minutes by 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew — a result that signals a worrying dip in form for China's top singles hope with the Asian Games on the horizon.
Key Takeaways
Shi Yuqi lost 21-11, 21-10 to Loh Kean Yew in just 30 minutes at the 2026 BWF China Masters in Shenzhen on 1 September .
It is Shi's second consecutive first-round exit, following an early departure at the World Championships .
Shi cited a week-long low fever after the World Championships as the reason for his poor form.
Men's doubles top seeds Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae (South Korea) were also knocked out in round one by Indonesia's Leo Rolly Karnando and Daniel Marthin .
Mixed doubles top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping survived after squandering six match points , winning the decider 27-25 .
Women's singles top seed An Se-young faces China's Han Qianxi in the next round.
China's Shi Yuqi suffered a comprehensive straight-games defeat to Singapore's Loh Kean Yew at the 2026 BWF China Masters in Shenzhen on Tuesday, 1 September, marking his second consecutive first-round exit following the World Championships. The sixth seed was beaten 21-11, 21-10 in just 30 minutes, raising fresh questions about his form and fitness heading into the latter half of the season.
Shi Yuqi's Condition and His Own Words
The loss was not entirely unexpected. Shi revealed after the match that he had been battling a low fever for a week following the World Championships. 'I had a low fever for a week after the World Championships and felt quite unwell. I'm fully recovered now. I really gave it my all in this match,' Shi said. Despite his assurances of recovery, the scoreline told a different story — the Chinese star, a 2025 world champion, was outclassed by Loh Kean Yew, the 2021 world champion, in a contest that barely lasted half an hour.
Key Results from Day One
The opening day of the China Masters produced several notable outcomes. In men's singles, Denmark's fifth seed Anders Antonsen came from behind to eliminate China's Hu Zhean, winning 19-21, 21-11, 21-16 in a hard-fought three-game contest.
In women's singles, China's Han Qianxi cruised past Pai Yu-po of Chinese Taipei 21-10, 21-9 and will next face top seed An Se-young of South Korea, who dispatched Lin Hsiang-ti of Chinese Taipei 21-11, 21-3. Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong was eliminated by Chiu Pin-chian of Chinese Taipei 21-14, 21-15.
In men's doubles, top seeds Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae of South Korea were knocked out in the first round, falling 21-19, 21-19 to Indonesia's Leo Rolly Karnando and Daniel Marthin. Kim indicated the pair would shift focus immediately to the upcoming Asian Games preparations.
Mixed Doubles Drama: Six Match Points Squandered
The day's most dramatic contest came in mixed doubles, where China's top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping survived a nerve-shredding battle against Japan's Yuta Watanabe and Maya Taguchi. The Chinese pair squandered six match points in the deciding game before eventually holding on to win 27-25 and advance to the last 16.
What to Watch Next
With Shi Yuqi and the South Korean men's doubles top seeds both out, the draw has opened up considerably. The women's singles showdown between Han Qianxi and top seed An Se-young shapes up as the round's marquee tie. How the tournament unfolds from here will offer early signals about form ahead of the Asian Games.
Point of View
But his 30-minute capitulation to Loh Kean Yew suggests something deeper than a temporary illness. The timing is critical: the Asian Games are approaching, and China's men's singles depth will be tested if Shi cannot rediscover his best form quickly. Meanwhile, Loh's win is a statement — the Singaporean remains a dangerous floater capable of beating anyone on a given day, and his 2021 world title was no fluke.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Shi Yuqi lose at the 2026 China Masters?
Shi Yuqi lost 21-11, 21-10 to Loh Kean Yew in the first round of the 2026 BWF China Masters in Shenzhen on 1 September. Shi attributed the defeat partly to a week-long low fever he suffered after the World Championships, though he said he had fully recovered by match day.
Who is Loh Kean Yew?
Loh Kean Yew is Singapore's top-ranked badminton player and the 2021 BWF World Champion. His win over Shi Yuqi — the 2025 world champion — at the China Masters is among the standout results of the tournament's opening day.
Which other top seeds were knocked out on day one of the China Masters 2026?
South Korean men's doubles top seeds Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae were eliminated in the first round, losing 21-19, 21-19 to Indonesia's Leo Rolly Karnando and Daniel Marthin.
How did the mixed doubles top seeds fare on day one?
China's Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping survived a dramatic contest against Japan's Yuta Watanabe and Maya Taguchi, winning the deciding game 27-25 after squandering six match points. They have advanced to the last 16.
What is the next big match to watch at the 2026 China Masters?
The women's singles clash between China's Han Qianxi and top seed An Se-young of South Korea is the standout second-round fixture. An advanced with a 21-11, 21-3 victory, while Han beat Pai Yu-po 21-10, 21-9 in the first round.
