London 2012 Olympic champion Li Xuerui eased into the second round of the BWF German Open ©Getty Images

London 2012 Olympic champion Li Xuerui eased into the second round of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) German Open after beating home favourite Karin Schnaase in straight games at the RWE-Sporthalle in Mülheim an der Ruhr.

The Chinese number two seed recorded a 21-15, 21-10 victory to set up a clash tomorrow with Thailand’s Busanan Ongbumrungpan, who defeated Indonesia’s Maria Febe Kusumastuti 21-14, 21-23, 21-15.

South Korean third seed Sung Ji-hyun also advanced to the last-16 thanks to a 21-8, 21-12 win against Japan’s Minatsu Mitani.

Chinese fourth seed Wang Shixian overcame Germany’s Olga Konon 21-16, 21-6.  

In the men’s singles draw, Danish top seed Jan Ø. Jørgensen triumphed 21-12, 22-20 to reach round three at the expense of Hong Kong’s Vincent Wong Wing Ki.

China's two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan, the second seed, also progressed courtesy of a 22-20, 21-11 success against The Netherlands’ Mark Caljouw.

Danish top seed Jan Ø. Jørgensen ensured his place in the third round of the men's singles draw
Danish top seed Jan Ø. Jørgensen ensured his place in the third round of the men's singles draw ©Getty Images

In the men’s doubles, South Korean number one seeds Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong were leading 21-11, 11-9 when their German opponents Michael Fuchs and Johannes Schoettler retired.

Indonesia’s Nitya Krishinda Maheswari and Greysia Polii are the pairing to beat in the women’s doubles and they had no problems seeing off the challenge of the United States’ Eva Lee and Paula Lynn Obanana in the first round, winning 21-16, 21-5.

In the mixed doubles, South Korea’s Ko Sung-hyun and Kim Ha-na comfortably beat Japan’s Kenta Kazuno and Ayane Kurihara 21-9, 21-13 as the top seeds began their quest for the title in impressive fashion.

Action at the German Open, which is a BWF Gold Grand Prix event, is due to resume tomorrow and conclude on Sunday (March 6).