Both players were highly fancied heading into the tournament at the Haixia Olympic Sports Center but neither were able to live up expectations.

Fourth seed Nehwal was on the back foot from the early stages of her match against Porntip Buranaprasertsuk of Thailand.

Having lost the opening game 21-16, Newhal hit back to win the second 21-19 to bring the contest level.

The India star could not complete the turnaround, Buranaprasertsuk eventually sealing a 21-16, 19-21, 21-14 triumph.

Intanon would have an even briefer stay in the tournament than Nehwal, lasting only one minute of her match against Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi.

The Thai player was 4-0 down to her opponent and opted to retire from the contest due to injury.

There were no such problems for world number on Carolina Marin, the Spanish player earning a 21-18, 21-15 win against China’s Ji Shuting.

China’s Chen Long eased into the second round of the men’s event, the second seed benefiting from his opponent Tommy Sugiarto retiring.

The Indonesian pulled out when 17-5 down.

Jan Ø. Jørgensen also progressed to the next round, the fourth seeded Dane securing a 21-18, 21-14 triumph against Tzu Wei Wang of Chinese Taipei.

Jørgensen’s compatriot Viktor Axelsen defeated China’s Xue Song 21-17, 14-21, 21-13 after a tightly fought battle.