China Masters 2026: Lakshya Sen, Satwik-Chirag Eye Asian Games Momentum

Lakshya Sen and the Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty duo will lead India’s challenge at the USD 1.25 million China Masters Super 750, with the tournament offering the country’s top shuttlers a crucial chance to regain form and build momentum ahead of the Asian Games.

Lakshya Sen faces a major challenge in the opening round against newly crowned world champion Alex Lanier of France. The 24-year-old Indian will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing second-round exit at the World Championships, where he lost to world No. 92 Garret Tan.

Sen, who became the first Indian man to reach an Olympic singles semi-final at Paris 2024, had earlier reached the All England final this season and will be hoping to rediscover that form in China.

Former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth will also feature in the men's singles draw. He faces Chinese Taipei's Chi Yu-jen after reaching the US Open Super 300 final in June but struggling with consistency and fitness in subsequent tournaments.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty enter the tournament as the fourth seeds and remain among India's strongest medal prospects. The pair ended a two-year wait for an international title by winning the Singapore Open earlier this year, but their World Championships campaign ended in the third round.

They begin their China Masters campaign against China's Hu Ke Yuan and Lin Xiang Yi, who won the Orleans Masters this season. Satwik's recurring shoulder issue will remain a concern as the pair prepare for their Asian Games title defence.

India will also have several young women's singles players in action. Eighteen-year-old Unnati Hooda faces fifth seed Han Yue of China, while 17-year-old Tanvi Sharma takes on Denmark's Amalie Schulz. Devika Sihag will face Bulgaria's Kaloyana Nalbantova after winning the Thailand Masters Super 300.

In men's doubles, Hariharan Amsakarunan and M R Arjun face 2021 world champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi. Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto will take on Thailand's Tonkid and Tonrug Saeheng, while Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde face Chinese Taipei's Wu Guan Xun and Lee Chia Hsin in mixed doubles.

With the Asian Games approaching, the China Masters represents an important test for India's established stars and emerging shuttlers alike, offering valuable high-level competition before the continental event.