Birmingham, England – In a stunning upset at the 2026 All England Open, world No. 1 Shi Yuqi of China was eliminated in the first round, falling to India’s Lakshya Sen in a three-game thriller. The defeat throws Shi Yuqi’s reign atop the men’s singles rankings into jeopardy after 83 consecutive weeks at the summit. Meanwhile, on the women’s side, top-ranked An Se-young of South Korea continued her dominant form, extending her winning streak to 33 matches with a decisive victory.
The shockwaves from Shi Yuqi’s early exit reverberated through the badminton world. Chinese state media outlet Sina Sports reported on the stunning loss, highlighting the potential end of Shi Yuqi’s lengthy period as the No. 1 player. The match, played at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on March 3rd, saw Sen overcome Shi Yuqi 1-2 (21-23, 21-19, 17-21) after a grueling 78-minute battle.
While Sen presented a formidable challenge – currently ranked No. 12 in the world – many expected Shi Yuqi to advance comfortably. The Chinese star had previously won all four of their prior encounters. However, this match proved to be a different story. Shi Yuqi found himself trailing early in the first game, falling behind 12-18. A late surge saw him claw back to deuce at 20-20, but Sen ultimately secured the first game 23-21.
Shi Yuqi responded strongly in the second game, narrowly edging out Sen 21-19 to level the match. The deciding game proved to be a tense affair, with Shi Yuqi struggling to maintain consistency and ultimately succumbing to errors late in the game. The defending champion’s tournament ended abruptly with a first-round loss.
According to Sina Sports, this marks Shi Yuqi’s earliest exit from a tournament since the 2023 Thailand Open. The report likewise noted that Shi Yuqi had been dealing with a recent injury concern, having been forced to retire from the final of the Malaysia Open in January due to a back problem. The lingering effects of that injury appeared to hamper his performance in Birmingham.
The defeat could have significant implications for the world rankings. Shi Yuqi is now vulnerable to being overtaken by Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn. Sina Sports explained that if Vitidsarn progresses three or more rounds further than Shi Yuqi in the All England Open, he will claim the No. 1 ranking.
Shi Yuqi himself acknowledged the impact of his physical condition after the match. He stated, as reported by multiple sources, that the unfamiliar feeling of being back on court after a period of rest contributed to unforced errors and a lack of sharpness. He also noted that the conditions inside the Utilita Arena – specifically, the stronger-than-usual breeze and slower shuttlecock speed – favored longer rallies, which proved challenging.
With Shi Yuqi out of the picture, the All England Open title race has opened up considerably. Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Denmark’s Anders Antonsen (world No. 3), Indonesia’s Jonathan Christie (world No. 4), and France’s Christo Popov (world No. 5) are now among the leading contenders. Shi Yuqi himself conceded that the tournament is wide open, stating, “Anyone could win this tournament. it’s that competitive.”
In contrast to the drama surrounding Shi Yuqi, An Se-young enjoyed a dominant start to her campaign. The world No. 1 dispatched Neslihan Yigit of Turkey in straight sets, 21-8, 21-6, in just 27 minutes. This victory extended her remarkable winning streak to 33 consecutive international matches.
An Se-young is aiming for her second consecutive All England Open title, and a successful defense would make her the first Korean player to win the prestigious tournament three times. She previously triumphed in 2023, defeating Chen Yufei of China, and again last year, overcoming Wang Zhiyi of China. She will face Lin Xiangti of Chinese Taipei in the round of 16.
The All England Open continues to deliver excitement and unexpected twists. An Se-young’s continued dominance provides a compelling narrative, while Shi Yuqi’s stunning defeat underscores the unpredictable nature of elite sport. The tournament promises further captivating matches as the remaining contenders battle for the coveted title.
Next up for An Se-young is her round of 16 match against Lin Xiangti. Fans can follow live updates and results on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) website: https://bwfbadminton.com/
