China Masters: Opening Round Treats Await
The men’s singles draw at LI-NING China Masters 2026 serves up several eyecatching first round clashes, with longstanding rivalries and recent rematches both on the menu.
· BWF STAFF
The men’s singles draw at LI-NING China Masters 2026 serves up several eyecatching first round clashes, with longstanding rivalries and recent rematches both on the menu.
At the top of the draw, new world No.1 Jonatan Christie begins his campaign against Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao. Christie holds a narrow 4-3 advantage in their head-to-head record, setting up an intriguing test for the Indonesian at the start of his reign at the summit.
Perhaps the most mouthwatering tie pits former world champions Shi Yu Qi and Loh Kean Yew against each other. Shi leads their career meetings 4-3, but there is little to separate them – especially with more than a year having passed since their previous encounter. Loh notably won that last meeting in the 2025 Asia Championships quarterfinals.