China's Tian Houwei has been knocked out of the Badminton Asia Championships at the first-round stage ©Getty Images

Home favourite Tian Houwei suffered a shock defeat against India's Ajay Jayaram today as the fifth seed crashed out of the Badminton Asia Championships in Chinese city Wuhan at the first-round stage.

The 25-year-old, who finished third at last year's event and second in 2015, lost 18-21, 21-18, 19-21 at the Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium.

Jayaram’s reward is a second-round clash with Chinese Taipei's Hsu Jen Hao, who beat Hong Kong's Hu Yun 21-13, 21-14.

Top men's seed Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia begun his bid to defend the title he won last year with a 21-19, 21-11 win over Japan's Kazumasa Sakai.

Qualifier Kenta Nishimoto, also of Japan, awaits Lee in round two after he defeated Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto 21-14, 21-9.

The biggest upset of the day in the women’s singles draw saw seventh seed Saina Nehwal lose 21-19, 16-21, 18-21 to Japan’s Sayaka Sato.

Top seed Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei never looked like being on the wrong end of a surprise result though as she claimed a comfortable 21-10, 21-8 victory over Vietnamese qualifier Thuy Linh Nguyen.

Women's singles top seed Carolina Marin is through to round three of the European Badminton Championships ©Getty Images
Women's singles top seed Carolina Marin is through to round three of the European Badminton Championships ©Getty Images

There was also second-round action today at the European Badminton Championships at the Sydbank Arena in Kolding in Denmark.

Top women’s singles seed Carolina Marin of Spain begun the defence of her title with a 21-9, 21-10 win over Wales’ Jordan Hart having received a first-round bye.

In the men's singles, reigning champion and home favourite Viktor Axelsen opened his campaign with a 22-20, 21-10 victory over France's Lucas Corvée.

All eight seeds in the men's and women's competitions are through to round three.

Action at both continental events is due to continue tomorrow.