Hsu Ya Ching won her first round match in front of a home crowd ©Getty Images

Hsu Ya Ching carried home hopes impressively on the second day of the Chinese Taipei Open as the women’s competition began at the Taipei Arena today.

All eyes had been expected to be focused on world number one Tai Tzu-ying, who was top seeded as the defending champion at the event.

But her withdrawal saw attention shift to Hsu, the tournament second seed.

Hsu did not disappoint under the pressure, with the Chinese Taipei player easing to a 21-6, 21-7 victory in her first round match against Indonesia’s Debora Rumate Vehrenica.

She will now face Ga Eun Kim, with the South Korean having battled to a 17-21, 21-15, 21-17 success against Chinese Taipei’s Chen Hsiao Huan.

Third seed Goh Jin Wei also came through a testing match, eventually winning her tie with Japan’s Kaori Imabeppu 15-21, 21-17, 21-14.

The hosts will be assured of at least two players featuring in the men’s quarter-finals with Chou Tien Chen and Chu Han Chou poised to go head-to-head.

Chou Tien Chen advanced from his second round match ©Getty Images
Chou Tien Chen advanced from his second round match ©Getty Images

Top seed and defending champion Chou beat Singapore’s Ryan Ng Zin Rei 22-20, 21-11 in his second round tie.

Chu led his match 22-20, 16-17 against Vladimir Malkov, before the Russian was forced to retire from the contest.

Chinese Taipei’s Tzu Wei Wang also advanced, with the second seed winning his match 21-17, 21-13 over Yu Leong Lau of Malaysia.

He will face his compatriot Hsueh Hsuan Yi for a place in the last eight, as he beat Thailand’s Adulrach Namkul 21-17, 21-10.

With several of their big name players through, Chinese Taipei will be confident of a home winner at the Badminton World Federation Grand Prix Gold level event.