The Badminton World Federation relocated the US$1.5 million flagship event to the Thai capital after China's tough COVID-19 restrictions forced the tournament out of Guangzhou.

To no one's surprise, the men's world number-one Axelsen triumphed against China's Lu Guang Zu, 21-13, 21-11.

The Dane has had a standout year, winning five Badminton World Federation (BWF) world-tour titles as well as a clutch of European tournaments.

But there was upset for the women's world No.1 Chen Yu Fei after she lost her first Group A match to Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, ceding 9-21, 21-14, 16-21.

"Today was the first day inside that I could not play as I wanted to," said a despondent Chen following the match.

She was unable to "control the shuttles", she said and added: "I could not control the game."

Tomorrow she will face Japan's Akane Yamaguchi, who secured her third-tournament win this year at the Japanese Open in September.

Elsewhere, Indonesians Jonatan Christie and Anthony Ginting duked it out 21-6, 10-21, 9-21 with Ginting claiming a group point.

And Thailand's top-seed and home-crowd favorite Ratchanok Intanon confidently beat compatriot Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-15, 21-13.

Meanwhile, other Indonesian shuttlers managed to defeat their opponents, according to tournament-website bwfworldtourfinals.bwfbadminton.com.

Men’s doubles-pair Fajar Alfian and Muhamad Rian Ardianto defeated South Korean pair Choi Sol-Gyu and Kim Won-ho 23-21, 21-17 in Group A. Veterans Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan defeated Malaysians Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik 21-12, 21-15 in Group B.

Indonesia’s only representatives in women’s doubles, Apriyani Rahayu and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhani, won 23-21, 21-19 against Malaysians Tan Pearly and Thinaah Muralitharan while its sole representatives in mixed doubles, Rinov Rivaldy and Pitha Haningtyas Mentari, defeated yet another Malaysian pair of Goh Soon Huat and Lai Shevon Jemie 21-12, 21-15.

On Thursday, Anthony faced Taiwanese Chou Tien Chen while Jonatan contested with Loh Kean Yew of Singapore.

Fajar and Rian met Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi of Japan while Ahsan and Hendra “The Daddies” faced Danish pair of Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen.

In the women’s division, Gregoria encountered An Se-young and Apriyani and Siti Fadia challenged Chinese pair of Zhang Shu Xian and Zheng Yu.

Mixed doubles-shuttlers Rinov and Pitha faced Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong of China.

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