The 17-year-old, who finished runner-up at the 2015 World Junior Championships, lost 14-21, 11-21 to his 52nd-ranked opponent at the Siri Fort Indoor Stadium.

Jeon went onto beat Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu 21-10, 21-10 to ensure his place in the main draw of the men’s competition, where he will start his campaign against China’s Huang Yuxiang tomorrow.

There was also disappointment today for Harsheel Dani, who made it to the semi-finals of the Syed Modi International Grand Prix in Lucknow in January, after he lost an all-Indian first-round encounter with Rahul Yadav Chittaboina 21-12, 15-21, 12-21.

Chittaboina’s joy was short lived though as he lost to Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto 21-6, 21-12 at the second hurdle.

Joining Nishimoto in the main draw will be China’s Zhao Junpeng, who overcame Indian opposition in both the first and second rounds today.

The 21-year-old opened with a 21-11, 21-9 win over Abhishek Yelegar and then defeated Harshit Aggarwal 18-21, 21-8, 21-18 to set up a meeting with another Indian, Srikanth Kidambi, who won the 2015 tournament in New Delhi.

On the women’s side, India’s Anura Prabhudesai secured a place in the main draw with a 21-13, 21-14 victory over Indonesia’s Debora Rumate Vehrenica having earlier beaten compatriot Ira Sharma 21-14, 21-13.

Awaiting her in tomorrow’s opening round is world number 20 Sayaka Sato of Japan.

Among the other Indian females to qualify was Rasika Raje, who followed up a 21-11, 15-21, 21-9 win over compatriot Amolika Singh Sisodiya by defeating fellow countrywoman Aakarshi Kashyap 21-18, 21-16.