The 24-year-old Japanese successfully defended his Japan Open title on Sunday (July 28) as the hosts won both the men's and women's singles events.

He had been scheduled to face Subhankar Dey in the first round but the Indian received a walkover to round two following Momota's withdrawal from the Super 500 series event.

Momota has been world number one in the BWF's men's singles rankings since last September and is hotly-tipped for Olympic glory in Tokyo next summer.

In the qualifying for the main draw at Bangkok's Indoor Stadium Huamark, India's Sourabh Verma won 21-18, 21-19 against Thailand's Kantawat Leelavechabutr.

He followed up with an 11-21, 21-14, 21-18 victory against China's Ze Qi Zhou to set up a meeting with seventh seed and defending champion Kanta Tsuneyama of Japan tomorrow.

Ren Peng Bo of China fought back from losing the first set to defeat Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of Thailand 17-21, 21-10, 21-12.

He will face fifth seed Srikanth Kidambi of India in round one after seeing off Malaysia's June Wei Cheam 21-13, 21-19 in the final qualifying round.

France's Lucas Claerbout edged out Indonesia's Chico Aura Dwi Wardoya 21-19, 16-21, 21-17 to set up a first-round clash with Shesar Hiren Rihustavito of Indonesia.

In the women's draw, Phittayaporn Chaiwan won the all-Thai qualification battle by seeing off compatriot Chananchida Juncheroen 14-21, 21-16, 21-19.

Fellow Thai player Supanida Katethong joined Chaiwan in the main draw with a straight sets 21-18, 21-12 triumph against South Korea's Kim Hyo-min.

India's Sai Uttejitha Rao Chukka lost the first set 16-21 against Canadian Brittany Tam before progressing to round one with a 16-21, 21-14, 21-19 win.

The final place in the main draw went to Indonesia's Yulia Yosephin Susanto, who won 21-12, 21-14 against American Jennie Gai.