HANGZHOU, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- World No. 1 shuttlers Shi Yuqi and An Se-young opened with victories on Wednesday as the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Finals got underway in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province.
The season-ending tournament, held in the Chinese city since 2023, features the top eight players in the year's World Tour standings, with a maximum of two entries per member association. The reigning Olympic and world champions also earn automatic qualification.
China's men's singles star Shi began his title defense by defeating compatriot Li Shifeng 21-13, 23-21 in his opening group match.
"Both of us are carrying some injuries, but we showed good form today, which is positive," said Shi, who sustained a foot injury during China's National Games a month ago.
Shi also received two BWF awards before the tournament. "I didn't expect to win the Player's Player of the Year, but I thought I would be nominated for Men's Singles Player of the Year," he said. "I'm very thankful for everyone's support."
In other men's singles matches, Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn beat Indonesia's Jonatan Christie 21-10, 21-14, while France's Christo Popov edged Denmark's Anders Antonsen 21-13, 12-21, 21-19. Japan's Kodai Naraoka beat Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei 21-17, 21-18.
In the women's singles, Olympic champion An Se-young of South Korea overcame Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani 21-16, 8-21, 21-8.
The 23-year-old, who has already collected 10 titles this season, could match the single-season record of 11 set by Japan's Kento Momota in 2019 if she lifts the trophy in Hangzhou.
Chinese favorite Wang Zhiyi beat Han Yue 21-14, 21-5 in an all-domestic clash. Japan's Akane Yamaguchi defeated compatriot Tomoka Miyazaki 21-14, 21-17, and Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong outlasted teammate Ratchanok Intanon 21-18, 14-21, 21-10.
In doubles, home favorites Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping (mixed doubles) and Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning (women's doubles) also opened with wins, along with top-seeded men's pair Kim Won-ho/Seo Seung-jae of South Korea.
The second round of group matches will be played on Thursday, with all five titles decided on Sunday. ■
