World No. 1 Shi Yuqi of China opened with a straight-games victory on Wednesday at the BWF (Badminton World Federation) World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province.

The season-ending competition, held in the Chinese city since 2023, features the top eight players in the year's BWF World Tour standings, with a maximum of two entries per member association. The reigning Olympic and world champions also earn automatic qualification.

China's top-ranked men's singles star Shi began his title defense by defeating compatriot Li Shifeng 21-13, 23-21 in his group stage opener.

"Both of us are carrying some injuries, but we showed good form today, which is positive," said Shi, who sustained a foot injury last month during China's National Games.

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 eased past Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei 21-17, 21-18.

In women's singles action, Olympic gold medalist An Se-young of the Republic of Korea overcame Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani 21-16, 8-21, 21-8.

The 23-year-old, who has already collected 10 titles in 2025, would match the single-season record of 11 set by Japan's Kento Momota in 2019 if she lifts the trophy in Hangzhou.

Home favorite Wang Zhiyi beat compatriot Han Yue 21-14, 21-5 in an all-Chinese clash. Japan's Akane Yamaguchi defeated fellow Japanese Tomoka Miyazaki 21-14, 21-17 and Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong outlasted teammate Ratchanok Intanon 21-18, 14-21, 21-10.