After an exciting week in Tokyo, especially for France with two players reaching the men’s singles podium, we’re now going to Changzhou for one of the biggest events on the calendar: the VICTOR China Open 2025.

Last year, no Europeans made the podium at the Super 1000 tournament. Could this year be different?

In men’s singles, two all-European clashes will open the round: Rasmus Gemke versus Nhat Nguyen, and Toma Junior Popov versus Alex Lanier, with the latter coming from a runner-up finish at the Japan Open and seeded eighth this week. Anders Antonsen, seeded two, begins his campaign against Yushi Tanaka, while Christo Popov faces Lei Lan Xi, whom he beat in straight games in the round of 16 last week.

In women’s singles, five Europeans will compete, but none are seeded and face tough openers. Mia Blichfeldt, having returned from injury just last week, faces third seed Akane Yamaguchi. Kirsty Gilmour will meet Unnati Hooda, a lower-ranked opponent that could be an opening for the Scot. Polina Buhrova is up against Busanan Ongbamrungphan, and will also compete in women’s doubles with Yevheniia Kantemyr.

There will be four European women’s doubles pairs in action, a great opportunity at Super 1000 level. Alongside Buhrova/Kantemyr, we’ll see Paulina Hankiewicz/Kornelia Marczak, Gabriela Stoeva/Stefani Stoeva, and Annie Lado/Estelle Van Leeuwen. Van Leeuwen will also compete in mixed doubles with Callum Hemming, facing Mads Vestergaard/Christine Busch in yet another all-European matchup. Also in the mixed doubles draw are seventh seeds Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue.

In men’s doubles, Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen are the only seeded European pair. They open against Kittinupong Kedren/Dechapol Puavaranukroh, with their head-to-head tied 2-2. The Danes won the last two encounters, but this will be their first meeting this year.

Matches begin at 3am CEST (9am local time). Check the full order of play for the first day here.