The double Olympic silver medallist began the event as the second seed but is now the top-ranked player after China's world champion Chen Long withdrew due to a back injury.

The 33-year-old Lee, winner of the Asian title this year, knocked out India's Sameer Verma 21-11, 21-13 as the men's competition began at the Super Series competition.

He is seeking a second title at this level this season after winning the Malaysia Open title in front of his own fans in April.

Chen's withdrawal meant that Indonesia's Sony Dwi Kuncoro, the surprise winner of the last Super Series tournament in Singapore, was handed a bye to the second round.

China's third seed Lin Dan, the double Olympic champion who beat Lee in both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 finals, came from behind to oust Malaysia's Zulfadli Zulkiffli 16-21, 21-18, 21-16.

Denmark's fourth seed Viktor Axelsen was a casualty, however, after the European champion retired in the third game against Chinese qualifier Huang Yuxiang.

Huang went through 16-21, 21-16, 8-4 following the Dane's withdrawal.

Another Dane, Jan Ø. Jørgensen, had no such problems as the fifth seed dispatched Indonesia's Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.

Jørgensen, a former European champion and a member of Denmark's successful Thomas Cup team along with Axelsen last month, triumphed 22-20, 25-23.

England's triple Commonwealth Games medallist Rajiv Ouseph was another to reach round two after eventually getting past Singapore's Derek Wong Zi Liang in three games.

The 29-year-old won 21-14, 21-23, 21-18.

Action is due to cotiue in Jakarta tomorrow, with men's action running alongside the resumption of the women's tournament.