Chen Long begins world badminton title defence with ease

Jakarta: World number one Chen Long`s bid to defend his world crown got off to a strong start Wednesday with the Chinese star dismissing Estonia` Raul Must in Jakarta.

Top seed Chen, who was given an opening-round bye, defeated unseeded Must 21-15, 21-7, to breeze into the third round of the tournament.

Chen is expected to encounter little trouble until the quarter-finals, where he will likely face seventh-seeded Dane Viktor Axelsen.

Chen, who has already won four titles this season, wasn`t getting ahead of himself, however, and stressed he would take one match at a time.

"Today there are many good players," the 26-year-old told reporters.

"They could all win. I will be focusing on playing well in each round."

It seems a wise approach from the defending champion, who has faltered early in other tournaments this year against lesser-ranked opponents.

Men`s 11th seed H.S. Prannoy of India also took his place in the last 16 with a routine victory over Uganda`s Edwin Ekiring 21-14, 21-19.

He will face Axelsen on Thursday after the Dane cleaned up Polish shuttler Adrian Dziolko 21-13, 21-15.

The former junior world champion knew the moment he saw the draw that a third-round clash against Prannoy would be a tough prospect.

"He`s a tricky player," he said. "I beat him in India earlier this year, so hopefully I can play well tomorrow."

Five-time world champion Lin Dan, world number two Jan O. Jorgensen, Malaysian superstar Lee Chong Wei, Japanese young gun Kento Momota and women`s second seed Saina Nehwal all have their second round matches later on Wednesday.