China looked set to dominate the $80,000 Thailand Open badminton event after all their singles players advanced to the second round on Wednesday.

Despite being weakened by the withdrawal of women's world number one Zhang Ning and men's number two Lin Dan due to a heavy competition schedule, seven Chinese progressed.

In the men's singles, third seed Chen Hong saw off Hsieh Yu Hsing of Taiwan 16-21 21-17 21-13 while compatriot Bao Chunlai scored a 21-14 22-20 win over Tawan Huansuriya of Thailand.

Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia made easy work of his first round tie, dismissing Thailand's Suppanyu Avihingsanon 21-16 21-8 in 26 minutes.

Denmark's Peter Gade, the world number three, advanced to round two after seeing off Japan's Sho Sasaki 21-8 21-13.

"That was a very good start as it's always difficult in the early rounds as a favourite against unseeded players," Gade told Reuters.

Gade now faces Thailand's Poompat Sapkulchananart while Chong Wei lines up against China's Chen Yu, who knocked out Daren Liew of Malaysia 21-11 21-10.

In the women's singles, top seed Xie Xingfang of China progressed with a 20-minute 21-7 21-10 victory over Rachel Van Cutsen of the Netherlands. Team mate Zhu Lin beat Thai Monthila Meemek 21-9 21-12.

China's Lu Lan defeated Thailand's Salakjit Ponsana 21-15 21-10 to book her place in the second round.

(Reuters via China Daily July 27, 2006)