Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist Chen Long begun his bid for success at the BWF German Open with a straight-games victory over Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto in Mülheim ©Getty Images

Olympic champion Chen Long begun his bid for success at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) German Open with a straight-games victory over Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto in Mülheim.

The 28-year-old Chinese player registered a 21-10, 21-9 win at the innogy Sporthalle to advance through to the second round of the Grand Prix Gold level event.

Also tasting victory today was Chen's fellow countryman Lin Dan after the third seed overcame India's Siril Verma 21-13, 21-10.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist is due to next face Poland's Mateusz Dubowski, a 21-3, 21-18 victor at the expense of Romania's Collins Valentine Filimon.

Fourth seed Tian Houwei of China suffered a shock elimination from the men's competition at the BWF German Open in Mülheim when he was beaten by Japan’s Kanta Tsuneyama ©Getty Images
Fourth seed Tian Houwei of China suffered a shock elimination from the men's competition at the BWF German Open in Mülheim when he was beaten by Japan’s Kanta Tsuneyama ©Getty Images

The biggest shock in the men’s competition saw China's Tian Houwei, the fourth seed, lose 15-21, 15-21 to Japan’s Kanta Tsuneyama.

Tsuneyama's reward for upsetting the odds is a meeting with Israel's Misha Zilberman, who defeated India's Rahul Yadav Chittaboina 21-18, 21-18.

The first round of the women’s singles is due to get underway tomorrow.

Home favourite Yvonne Li set up a clash with fellow German Olga Konon after defeating Ukraine’s Natalya Voytsekh  21-14, 19-21, 21-19 and England’s Chloe Birch 16-21, 21-13, 21-16 in qualification.