Beiwen Zhang of the United States knocked out world champion PV Sindhu ©Getty Images

Newly-crowned women's world champion PV Sindhu suffered a second consecutive early exit from a major tournament as she was beaten in the first round of the Badminton World Federation Korean Open.

The Indian, who won her maiden world title in Basel last month, made a dominant start against American Beiwen Zhang but fell away to lose 7-21, 24-22, 21-15 at Incheon Airport Skydome.

Sindhu, the fifth seed who won silver at every major badminton event before finally sealing world glory, also departed prematurely from the China Open last week where she was beaten by Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong in round two.

She was not the only major departure from the women's draw after top seed Akane Yamaguchi retired through injury.

The Japanese player was 11-10 in front against Indonesia's Fitriani in the opening game before opting to withdraw.

China's second seed Chen Yufei knocked out Russia's Evgeniya Kosetskaya 21-13, 21-18 to reach round two.

Chen was supposed to meet Spain's Carolina Marin, the reigning Olympic champion who made a sensational return from injury last week by winning the China Open.

Marin was playing only her second tournament after eight months out with a knee problem, and was due to compete again in Korea.

The triple world champion withdrew on the eve of the event, however, and Kosetskaya took her place.

Third seed Tai Tzu-ying of Chinese Taipei enjoyed comfortable progression as she beat Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-13, 21-9.

Lu Guangzu knocked out Chinese team-mate and reigning Olympic champion Chen Long ©Getty Images
Lu Guangzu knocked out Chinese team-mate and reigning Olympic champion Chen Long ©Getty Images

Japan's fourth seed Nozomi Okuhara, the defending Korean Open winner and 2017 world champion, was similarly relaxed as she knocked out South Korean qualifier Sim Yu-jin 21-9, 21-14.

In the men's draw the big surprise was reigning Olympic champion Chen Long suffering a first round exit.

The Chinese sixth seed was beaten by compatriot Lu Guangzu, 21-15, 13-21, 21-13.

Japan's back-to-back world champion and top seed Kento Momota continued his superb form, which also saw him win the China Open, by beating Thai qualifier Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-17, 21-13.

Chinese Taipei's second seed and defending champion Chou Tien-chen began his defence with a 21-12, 21-15 win over another Thai player, Sitthikom Thammasin.

Denmark's Viktor Axelsen, the 2017 world champion, won his first match since returning from an injury lay-off which had kept him out since July.

He lost on his return in China but today beat Chinese player Zhao Junpeng 21-12, 21-15.

The World Tour Super 500 tournament continues tomorrow.