Srikanth began his campaign in Lucknow with a comprehensive 21-4, 21-10 victory over Iran’s Vatannejad-Soroush Eskandari and the Indian star proved in equally impressive form against Malaysia’s Joo Ven Soong.

He claimed the opening game 21-18, despite an impressive performance from the world number 79, with Srikanth then progressing to wrap up his victory by winning the second 21-14.

The home favourite’s pursuit of a quarter-final place come under threat from another Malaysian player as he will meet Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin.

Fourth seed Kashyap Parupalli also reached the third round but the Indian player was forced to work hard for victory against Singapore’s Zi Liang Derek Wong, eventually prevailing 21-14, 26-28, 21-17.

Indian hopes for success in the women’s event were dealt a blow prior to tournament after world number two Saina Nehwal withdrew from the event, having failed to recover from an Achilles problem which hindered her progress at the BWF Superseries Finals in December.

In her absence, South Korea’s Ji Hyun Sung was installed as the favourite for victory and she cruised to a 21-9, 21-6 triumph over India’s Tanvi Lad.

Lad’s team-mate Sindhu Venkata Sindhu made it through her tie against fellow Indian Mukherjee Riya, defeating the qualifier 21-6, 21-7.

With top seeds Chang Ye Na and Lee So Hee of South Korea benefiting from a walkover in the women’s doubles, their compatriots Jung Kyung Eun and Shin Seung Chan were the highest ranked players in action.

They sealed a comfortable 21-2, 21-2 over India’s Teenu Dahiya and Seema Panchal to reach the second round.

Denmark’s Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen were in similarly impressive form in their first round match in the men’s doubles, with the top seeds ending the challenge of Thailand’s Puavaranukroh Dechapol and Kedren Kittinupong by 21-13, 21-10.