KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese players put up a strong showing on Tuesday here at the first day of badminton Malaysia Open.

China's top men's singles shuttler Shi Yuqi knocked off India's Sameer Verma 22-20, 21-23, 21-12 after a fierce struggle and is scheduled to play against Anders Antonsen of Denmark in the second round.

Momota, the reigning world No. 1 beat Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark 20-22, 21-13, 21-11 at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil here after an hour long match and is set to face Jonatan Christie of Indonesia on Thursday.

China's Chen Long proved to be the most efficient among the country's shuttlers, demolishing Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus of Denmark in a mere 35 minutes and is set to face Kantaphon Wangcharoen of Thailand, who beat him in the first round of the tournament last year.

Defending champion and home hero Lee Chong Wei is absent following medical advice that the former world No. 1 needed more time to recover from the nose cancer last year.

Overall the Chinese team put up a strong showing, claiming victories in the women's singles, men's doubles, mixed doubles and women's doubles, winning nine matches in the first round.