New Delhi: World No.7 Ratchanok Intanon began her India Open defence with an impressive victory yesterday.
In only her second tournament after a long injury lay-off, the 22-year-old Ratchanok needed 37 minutes to defeat Chinese rising star Gao Fangjie in the first round 21-15, 21-19 at Siri Fort Indoor Stadium.
Fifth seed Ratchanok, who hopes to reach at least the semi-finals this week, will next face another Chinese, Zhang Yiman, who cruised past home player Reshma Karthik 21-9, 21-8 in just 21 minutes.
Ratchanok's victory at the US$325,000 event last year kick-started her remarkable run of three successive BWF Superseries titles that eventually helped the Thai star reach the No.1 ranking in the world.
The reign was shortlived though and the second half of 2016 was marred by injuries and loss of form.
However Ratchanok got off to a strong start in 2017. Looking fully fit and showing no sign of troublesome knee injury, Ratchanok reached the final at the All England Open -- her first tournament since the Dubai World Superseries Finals in December -- where she lost to top-ranked Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan this month.
Ratchanok was joined in the next round by fourth seeds Puttita Supajirakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai and fifth seeds Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai who cruised through their women's doubles openers.
Puttita and Sapsiree defeated Japan's Arisa Higashino and Ayane Kurihara 21-11, 21-14 while Jongkolphan and Rawinda eased past India's Mahima Aggarwal and Maneesha K 21-9, 21-8.
Eighth seeds Bodin Isara and Savitree Amitrapai also advanced after winning their mixed doubles match against Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino of Japan 21-15, 21-14.
Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk, the only Thai in the men's singles, failed to get past his first hurdle, losing 21-18, 21-8 to seventh seed Chou Tien Cheng of Taiwan.
Fifth seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree, Nipitphon Phuangphupet and Jongkolphan, and Supak Jomkoh and Puttita all lost in the mixed doubles.
Bodin and Nipitphon, Dechapol and Kittinupong Kerdren and Supak and Pakin Kuna-anuvit crashed out in the men's doubles first round.
Eighth seed Busanan Ongbamrungphan and Pornpawee Chochuwong were due in action in the women's singles late last night.