NINGBO, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Mixed doubles defending champions Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet of Hong Kong, China, were knocked out in the first round of the 2026 Badminton Asian Championships on Tuesday.

Tang and Tse faced a tough opening draw against Cheng Xing and Zhang Chi of Team China. The two teams split the first two games, but Tang/Tse failed to find the rhythm in the decider and lost 21-7.

Elsewhere in mixed doubles, world No. 1 pair Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping defeated Thailand's Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai 21-5, 21-13, while Guo Xinwa and Chen Fanghui beat Chinese Taipei's Wu Guan-xun and Lee Chia-hsin 21-17, 21-18 to also advance into next round.

Mixed doubles took center stage on Tuesday as the only event with main-draw matches, while qualifying wrapped up in all other disciplines. The Chinese men's doubles pair of He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu, reunited for this tournament, topped their group to secure a spot in the main draw, which begins Wednesday. ■