Alex Lanier, runner-up at the DAIHATSU Japan Open 2025 on Sunday, couldn’t extend his campaign past the first round at the VICTOR China Open 2025 as he ran into compatriot Toma Junior Popov.

Popov nearly stole the opening game from 12-19 down, and although Lanier took the game, Popov stepped on the gas and dominated the rest of the contest for a 20-22 21-13 21-17 win.

Toma’s brother Christo too enjoyed a great opening day, as he shut out home hope Lei Lan Xi in just 35 minutes, 21-13 21-8.

There were a number of surprises in the opening rounds. Indian teenager Unnati Hooda, just 17, stopped Kirsty Gilmour 21-11 21-16.

Men’s doubles top seeds and defending champions Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin crashed out to Kang Min Hyuk/Ki Dong Ju in three games, while Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, who returned last week to competition after a long layoff, was beaten by Brian Yang.

Indonesia Open champions Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue were knocked out by new Korean combination Wang Chan/Jeong Na Eun, 21-17 16-21 21-15.

“It’s hard to win when we give so many points away,” said Gicquel. “We had a good game plan but we weren’t calm enough – too many mistakes. We reset after Indonesia (Open), but the last two weeks in Asia haven’t been good.”

Other Highlights

» Seeded casualties included Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen in men’s doubles and Kodai Naraoka in men’s singles.

» All England runner-up Lee Chia Hao put in a sparkling performance as he left Lu Guang Zu searching for answers with a 21-8 21-15 win in 38 minutes.

» Dechapol Puavaranukroh was his brilliant best, as he and Kedren Kittinupong took down Astrup/Rasmussen 18-21 21-19 21-18.

» Beiwen Zhang was another big-name casualty, falling to Japanese youngster Riko Gunji 21-13 in the third game.

What They Said

“We tried our best but our opponents did better than us. In terms of the first three shots, they totally controlled the game.” – Goh Sze Fei

“A much awaited win for me. The first round was important to cross. I was positive from the beginning. Tomoka is doing well, so it was important for me to win because it will give me a boost.” – Pusarla V Sindhu, after beating Tomoka Miyazaki

“The conditions are very tough. In the first game she was struggling with the wind and it was easier for me to control. She was working hard for every point. Fitness right now is not the biggest issue, I feel a lot more confident and I can start to work normally again.” – Michelle Li, after losing to An Se Young in three games

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