Hong Kong players got off to winning starts in the US$200,000 Singapore Open, the first tournament that offers 2008 Olympic Games qualifying points.
Youngster Yip Pui-yin upset seventh seed Yao Jie of the Netherlands, 21-19, 21-18, in the women's singles. The Asian Games silver medallist will take on qualifier Cheng Shao-chieh of Taiwan in the next stage for a place in the quarter-finals.
Wang Chen also opened her account, but with a tough first round win over Julia Wong of Malaysia in three sets 18-21, 21-15, 21-15. Wang, who defeated Yip for the gold medal at the Asian Games, will meet Maria Kristin Yulianti of Indonesia in the second round.
Zhou Mi narrowly lost in three sets to the sixth seed, France's Pi Hongyan.
In the men's singles, Ng Wei prevailed 21-14, 21-10 over Dicky Palyama of the Netherlands.
Another Hong Kong shuttler - Chan Yan-kit put up a good fight against world number one Lin Dan of China but lost in three sets.
