China's Shi Yuqi, Lu Guangzu, Chen Yufei reach second round at BWF World Championships

China's World No. 1 Shi Yuqi dispatched India's Lakshya Sen in straight games on Monday, advancing to the second round in the men's singles division at the BWF World Championships in Paris.

Shi entered the tournament in exceptional form, having lifted trophies at the China Open, Japan Open, and All England Open this season. He flicked a quick forehand deep to set up a smash, jumping out to a 14-11 lead in the first game.

Sen, who finished third at the 2021 World Championships, eventually managed to pull within one point. The top-seeded Shi responded by showing his power, however, and went on to claim the frame 21-17.

Shi's best result at the World Championships is a runner-up finish in 2018 at home in Nanjing. Another smash put him up 15-10 in the second game, with the quest for a first title continuing to motivate the 29-year-old.

With Shi leading 19-18, a bit of controversy erupted when he claimed Sen hit a shot after the shuttle had bounced. The World No. 1 tried to challenge the call, but the umpire ruled in Sen's favor.

Shi remained calm and wrapped things up 21-19 to reach the second round. 

Lu Guangzu edges Teh 2-1 to advance to second round

Another Chinese shuttler, Lu Guangzu, faced Singapore's Jia Heng Jason Teh. Lu led 7-5 before Teh smashed a powerful forehand to go in front 15-14. The World No. 24 maintained his momentum to take the first game 21-16.

Teh brought up match point at 20-19 in the second game, but hit long and Lu came back to prevail 22-20, sending the contest to a decider.

Lu surged ahead in the third game, leading 19-13 after impressively landing a tight shot, and China's World No. 11 held on to seal the deal 21-14, with the 2-1 victory sending him into the second round. 

Chen Yufei defeats Tatranova 21-10, 21-12 in first round

On the women's side, China's Chen Yufei beat France's Anna Tatranova in straight games to move into the second round.

This was the first meeting between the two players, and the fourth-seeded Chen faced few difficulties as she quickly jumped out to a 16-4 lead, on her way to taking the first game 21-10.

Chen, who has claimed five singles titles this year, grabbed the second game 21-12 to complete a 35-minute win. The World No. 4 will face Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt in the second round.

South Korea's An beats Lassaux 21-5, 21-8 in first round

South Korea's defending champion An Se-Young faced Belgium's Clara Lassaux, and the World No. 1 quickly surged into a 6-0 lead.

An, who withdrew from the China Open semifinals in July due to injury, wasted no time in reassuring everybody about her health. After dominating the first game 21-5, she swiftly powered her way to a 13-4 advantage in the second.

The women's singles gold medalist from the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics continued to excel in the French capital, and closed out the second game 21-8. An triumphed in less than 30 minutes and will meet Germany's Yvonne Li in the second round.