SHI Yu Qi avoids the trap
This is the clash of the first round of the Men's Singles draw at the TotalEnergies BWF World Championships. SHI Yu Qi, world number 1 and favorite of the competition, has been drawn against a tough opponent: Lakshya SEN. Indeed, SEN already won bronze at the 2021 World Championships and knows the adidas arena well as he finished fourth at the last Olympic Games in the same arena. Will the Chinese player, winner of three of the four Super 1000 tournaments this season, manage to overcome the Indian challenge ?
There was no feeling-out period in the first set, with both players playing at their best level. Slightly more aggressive than his opponent, SHI leads by a narrow margin at the break: 11/9. The rest of the game continues at the same pace, with the Chinese player, silver medalist at the 2018 World Championships, taking the initiative. But the Indian player holds his ground and stays in touch in terms of score and rallies. In the end, it was the Chinese player, winner of the last Yonex French Open, who took the openning game 21/17.
The next game follows the first game pace, with great physical intensity and real combat. And as in the first one, it is the world number one who is slightly dominant: 11/7 at the break. Sharp in his physical commitment and choice of shots, SHI Yu Qi keeps the lead. And despite a comeback from Lakshya SEN to 19/19, he secures his place in the round of 32 : 21/19. On Wednesday, he will face Julien CARRAGGI, who won a thrilling match against LE Duc Phat (No. 69, Vietnam): 21/9 16/21 22/20.
In the mixed zone, he assured that his preparation hadn't really changed when he knew his draw: "I prepared for this match like a normal match, even though it's the World Championships. I'm taking each match one at a time in these World Championships.“ Speaking of his opponent: ”I have played him several times before. I knew it would be tough, but I also prepared well for the wind in the arena.”