PTI

Hong Kong, Nov 26: Arvind Bhatt stunned world number eight Joachim Persson of Denmark in straight-games as India made a resounding start to their campaign at the Hong Kong Super Series with all the shuttlers winning their singles opening round match on Wednesday.

Olympic quarter-finalist Saina Nehwal started the proceedings for India, staving off the challenge of Thai Salakjit Ponsana 21-19, 22-20 in a 33-minute contest.

Arvind Bhatt then pulled off a stunner, beating world number eight and sixth seed Joachim Persson of Denmark 21-17, 21-17 to advance to the second round.

Persson could not negotiate the smashes of Arvind as the world number 41 wrapped up the match in just 29 minutes to emerge as the winner.

Chetan Anand also made it to the next round but unlike Arvind he had to break some sweat before unsettling Czech Petr Koukal 21-18, 17-21, 21-13 in a 50-minute grueling battle.

India had just one disappointment, when Saina and her doubles partner Anna Rice of Canada were handed out a straight-game defeat by the Malaysian duo of Chiou Hwee Haw and Pek Siah Lim.

Saina-Rice were thumped 16-21, 11-21 by the Malaysians in a lopsided match that lasted just 27 minutes.