PETALING JAYA: The absence of world No. 1 men’s singles Shi Yuqi is strongly felt by China in the Malaysian Masters.

Yesterday, one by one from their squad fell like kingpins, leaving only two standing after the first round at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.

Second seed Li Shifeng (pic) is left to carry the nation’s flag when he easily trounced Kantaphon Wangcharoen of Thailand 21-9, 21-8 to set up a meeting with Singapore’s Jason Teh.

China’s another representative will be the winner of the match between Weng Hongyang and Lei Lanxi.

All others - Lu Guangzu, Wang Zhengxing, Hu Zhean and Zhu Xuanchen were eliminated early.

Guangzu was expected to go far but he was surprisingly sent packing by India’s K. Srikanth, who pulled off a hard-fought 23-21, 13-21, 21-11 win.

Hopes were also on their former world junior champion Hu Zhean but he did not even come through the qualifying round.

China used to boast with quality and top stars in the men’s singles such as Lin Dan, Yang Yang, Han Jian, Zhao Jianhua, but they too seem to be struggling to bring new stars to the fore.