Chen Yufei takes over Position 1 in the women’s singles draw at the VICTOR China Open 2026, the season’s final Super 1000 event, after world No. 1 An Se Young withdrew with a foot injury. Consequently, the top half of the draw now sets up a potential rematch between Chen and Pusarla V. Sindhu, who lifted the Japan Open title on Sunday. Chen retired hurt during their semifinal in Tokyo last week, so both players will look to settle the score in Changzhou if they advance past their openers. Chen faces Natsuki Nidaira first, while Sindhu meets fellow Indian Unnati Hooda.
Sindhu Rematch Looms in Loaded Top Half
Beyond the possible Chen-Sindhu clash, a quarterfinal meeting with Ratchanok Intanon also looms in the top half. Meanwhile, Chen has never actually won the China Open, and her best finish remains a runner-up result back in 2018. Therefore, An’s absence gives the home favorite a genuine chance to complete her title collection this week. In the bottom half, two-time defending champion Wang Zhi Yi opens against Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour as she chases a third straight crown.
Withdrawals Reshape Doubles and Singles Draws
The men’s doubles event also loses firepower, since third seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty pulled out through injury. As a result, reigning champions Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri enter as favorites, fresh off their Japan Open triumph over the world’s top-ranked pair. Meanwhile, Indonesia Open champion Victor Lai makes his China Open debut against Chi Yu Jen in men’s singles. Additionally, Nozomi Okuhara withdrew from women’s singles, while Jafar Hidayatullah and Felisha Pasaribu pulled out of mixed doubles. Han Qian Xi and Sung Shuo Yun move into the women’s singles field, and Kevin Lee and Ty Alexander Lindeman gain a men’s doubles spot. Kim Jae Hyeon and Jang Ha Jeong also earn a mixed doubles promotion for the tournament in Changzhou.
