HYDERABAD (India), Aug 10 Dicky Palyama of the Netherlands pulled off an upset at the World Badminton Championships Monday, beating 11th-seeded Chinese Bao Chun Lai in the men's singles opening round.

“There was no pressure on me and I played freely,” Palyama said after posting a 21-18, 21-14 victory in 36 minutes.

“I knew Bao is a tough opponent, but my coach told me to keep cool. I knew I had a chance to win the match when I was leading in the second game.”Bao conceded he was not at his best.

“I didn't play my best game,” said the Chinese. “I don't think I was on top of my game today. I could not find my rhythm.”

Third-seeded Peter Gade of Denmark stormed into the second round with an emphatic 21-11, 21-16 victory over Valeriy Atrashchenkov of Ukraine.

“I was always in control of the match,” said the 32-year-old Gade, looking for his first World title.

“Obviously, I am looking for the gold. I know the toughest opponent will be Chinese Lin Dan. It is good that at this age I am able to compete well.”

Defending champion Lin proved too strong for unseeded Israeli Misha Zilberman, racing to a 21-9, 21-11 win in 23 minutes.

“I don't consider myself as a favourite. I think Gade and (Malaysian) Lee Chong Wei are favourites,” said Lin, aiming for his third successive title.

“Shuttles are coming a bit slow but one has to adapt to the conditions.”Lin and Gade are expected to clash in the quarter-finals.

Wong Mew Choo of Malaysia needed just 19 minutes to down American Shannon Pohl 21-4, 21-6 in the women's singles opening round.

Belgium's Lianne Tan, Susan Egelstaff of Scotland and Japanese Ai Goto also moved into the women's singles second round with straight-game wins.

Results (x denotes seeds)

First round

Men's singles Lee Chong Wei (MAS x1) bt Dieter Domke (GER) 21-14, 21-10; Peter Gade (DEN x3) bt Valeriy Atrashchenkov (UKR) 21-11, 21-16; Dicky Palyama (NED) bt Bao Chun Lai (CHN x11) 21-18, 21-14; Lin Dan (CHN x5) bt Misha Zilberman (ISR) 21-9, 21-11; Sony Dwi Kuncoro (INA x6) bt Michael Lahnsteiner (AUT) 21-13, 21-9; Stilian Makarski (BUL) bt Alistair Casey (SCO) 18-21, 21-18, 21-13; Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk (THA) bt Lee Tsuen Seng (MAS) 21-7, 21-13; Scott Evans (IRL) bt Vladimir Malkov (RUS) 21-9, 22-20; Henri Hurskainen (SWE) bt Michal Matejka (SVK) 21-10, 21-16.

Women's singles Maria Kristin Yulianti (INA x15) bt Sophia Hansson (SWE) 21-6, 21-2; Lianne Tan (BEL) bt Elena Prus (UKR) 21-18, 22-20; Susan Egelstaff (SCO) bt Anu Nieminen (FIN) 21-19, 22-20; Wong Mew Choo (MAS x14) bt Shannon Pohl (USA) 21-4, 21-6; Ai Goto (JPN) bt Chloe Magee (IRL) 21-13, 21-9; Ella Diehl (RUS) bt Hadia Hosny (EGY) 21-8, 21-14; Linda Zechiri (BUL) bt Fu Mingtian (SIN) 21-15, 21-15; Juliane Schenk (GER x11) bt Aditi Mututkar (IND) 21-8, 21-12.—AFP