MULHEIM AN DER RUHR, Germany - Chinese shuttler He Bingjiao took her second career victory against Akane Yamaguchi in the women's singles, while Lu Guangzu was defeated by Kidambi Srikanth in the men's singles in the round of 16 at the BWF World Tour German Open on Thursday.

He Bingjiao grabbed the win over second-seeded Japanese shuttler Yamaguchi in straight sets 21-17, 21-11 after she had lost all seven previous encounters between the two since 2018.

"The victory today doesn't prove that I've become the stronger one, but it gives me more confidence for future matches," said He Bingjiao.

"It looks like an easy win but I was not relaxed at all and always preparing for a tough three-game match while playing Akane, because she never gives up."

"But today I'm the one who was much more eager to win. She won the World Championship title last year and I'd love to challenge the champion," said the 24-year-old.

25-year-old Zhang Yiman surprised fans by defeating Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist, seventh-seeded Pusarla Venkata Sindhu of India 21-14, 15-21, 21-14.

Olympic champion Chen Yufei, as the third seed, swept Thai player Supanida Katethong 21-8, 21-15 in 32 minutes, while Han Yue was edged by fourth seed An Se-young from South Korea 21-19, 22-24, 21-15

"I believe I was well prepared for this match both mentally and physically. I trained well in the winter and maintained my fitness," said Zhang.

"I remained calm and energetic on the court, attacking and counter-attacking quickly to press her. Sindhu made some mistakes in the first set and I took the chance to win. I hope to go further."

Olympic champion Chen Yufei, as the third seed, swept Thai player Supanida Katethong 21-8, 21-15 in 32 minutes, while Han Yue was edged by fourth seed An Se-young from South Korea 21-19, 22-24, 21-15.

"An has stable play while I was a bit hurried in long rallies. I lost points two quickly in the decider and was not persistent enough," said Han.

"Hopefully I can progress further to the quarterfinals or semifinals in the coming All England and Swiss Open."

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Lu Guangzu was edged by eighth seed Kidambi Srikanth 21-16, 21-23, 21-18. He had previously lost against the Indian veteran in two straight sets in the World Championships last December.

"I was overwhelmed in our last match months ago but I believe I've done a good job today. I snatched some points in key moments during the second and third sets, but he had better control over the entire match," said Lu. "He has good technique and more experience."

"All I could do is to keep a good defense and look for some opportunities in long rallies," added Lu. "Hopefully I can make progress this season and gain a higher world ranking."

Elsewhere in the men's singles, Zhao Junpeng smashed South Korean shuttler Heo Kwang-hee 21-10, 21-10.

In the women's doubles, two-time world champion and top-seeded pair Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan knocked down Indian duo Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela 21-16, 21-12.

Zhang Shuxian and Zheng Yu had a tough three-set play to down second-seeded Lee So-hee and Shin Seung-chan from South Korea 21-19, 15-21, 21-14 to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

Du Yue and Li Wenmei defeated Thai sisters Nuntakarn Aimsaard and Benyapa Aimsaard 21-16, 21-13 while Liu Xuanxuan and Xia Yuting were knocked out by South Korean pair Kim So-yeong and Kong Hee-yong 21-9, 21-18.

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Ou Xuanyi, newly paired with Olympic silver medalist Liu Yuchen, beat Japanese duo Akira Koga and Taichi Saito 21-18, 21-15 to book a spot in the men's doubles quarterfinals.

28-year-old Ou, paired with Olympic mixed doubles silver medalist Huang Yaqiong, also won his mixed doubles match by defeating second-seeded Olympic champions Wang Yilyu and Huang Dongping 21-13, 21-18.

Elsewhere in the men's doubles, He Jiting and Zhou Haodong claimed the win over fourth seeds Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto of Indonesia 21-15, 17-21, 21-14.