HONG KONG - Former world number one Lee Chong Wei sailed through the first round of the Hong Kong Open Wednesday, while Chinese badminton legend Lin Dan faced a tough three set grilling by Indonesian Ihsar Maulana Mustofa.
Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia hits a return against Chen Long of China during their men's singles final match at the China Open badminton tournament in Fuzhou, east China's Fujian province on November 15, 2015
Current world number one Chen Long also smashed through the first day of the tournament downing Indian Ajay Jayaram 21-17, 21-12.
Second seed Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark was one of two major upsets, crashing out to unseeded Wang Zhengming, while women's Olympic Champion and former world number one Li Xuerui of China -- fresh from a home title win in Fuzhou last week -- lost to Japan's Nozomi Okura 21-19, 21-9.
Lee Chong Wei -- who took the men's crown at last week's China Open -- dismissed eighth seed Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia 21-17, 21-15 in 39 minutes.
"Every time I play Tommy Sugiarto it is a very tough match. I just try my best and enjoy Hong Kong," the Malaysian said.
Former world number one Lee, 33, dropped out of the world rankings after serving an eight month doping ban earlier this year and told AFP that he had struggled with focus and getting a rhythm to his game after he returned to the court.
"Now I think it is better. I have got my confidence back," Lee said after the match.
Five-time world champion and double Olympic gold medalist Lin was put through his paces by Mustofa in a closely fought three sets 21-17, 15-21, 21-14.
The Indonesian, who turned 20 on Wednesday, had the upper hand through the second set but experience won the day as the Chinese veteran made quick work of the third set.
Lin said he wasn't surprised that he was pushed into a three-set match by Mustofa.
"The younger players don't have any burden of fame. They can just play more free," Lin said.
Denmark's top seed Jorgensen, who has scooped three titles this year, dropped out in the first round after just 37 minutes, loosing to Wang of China 21-15, 21-19.
"It was easy to tell it wasn't my best game today. I had problems finding the rhythm and the lines. The drift is really strong here and it just didn't sit very well," said Jorgensen.
Meanwhile, women's world number one Carolina Marin took 35 minutes to beat India's P V Sindhu 21-17, 21-9.
The Spaniard, known for her aggressive style of play, said she was determined to beat Sindhu after losing to her in the semi-finals of the Denmark Open last month.
"Today I was better than her. Last time it was the Denmark Open and it wasn't a good game for me, but today I play like revenge... I want to show her that I want to beat her," said the combative 22-year-old.