Tue, Aug 24 10 12:15 AM
World number one Lee Chong Wei breezed through his first round match against Guatemala's Kevin Cordon 21-7 21-11 on the opening day of the world badminton championships on Monday.
The game was the first on court at the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium and world-ranked 54 Cordon delayed the talented Malaysian for only 26 minutes.
Top seed Chong Wei faces a trickier second round clash against compatriot Muhammad Hafiz Hashim, ranked 21 in the world and the All England champion in 2003. Hashim beat Belgium's Tan Yuhan 21-13 21-15.
World and Olympic champion Lin Dan of China also had an easy passage, beating Iran's Ali Shahhosseini, ranked 83, 21-4 21-10.
Former Olympic and world champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia eased through 21-10 21-10 against Nigeria's Ola Fabgemi, ranked 122.
English champion Rajiv Ouseph, world ranked 17, featured in a tight match, edging past Dutchman Eric Pang on his fourth match point 21-19 15-21 23-21.
Head coach Andy Wood said: "We are boosted by the fact that he managed to tough it out and get this victory to add to the confidence gained by winning the U.S. Open title recently."
In the women's singles, Indian hopes are pinned firmly on Saina Nehwal, who has risen to two in the world rankings.
Indian sports fans are still basking in the glow of golfer Arjun Atwal's breakthrough PGA Tour success on Sunday.
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