The number one seed is the big favourite to win her home tournament at the Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium in Lucknow and was too strong for her compatriot Anura Prabhudesai in round one, winning 21-9, 21-11.

Sindhu won the Olympic silver medal at the Rio 2016 Games in August after a final defeat to Spain's Carolina Marin and will be looking to begin 2017 by winning her home tournament, a Grand Prix Gold level event.

She was originally due to be joined in the draw by compatriot and London 2012 bronze medallist Saina Nehwal, but the number two seed withdrew due a knee injury.

That means Spain's third-ranked Beatriz Corrales should be the biggest threat to a Sindhu victory, with the European coming through today against India's Reshma Karthik, 21-17, 21-13.

Indonesia's fourth seed Fitriani is also through after coming from behind to beat India's Rasika Raje, 14-21, 21-12, 21-7.

In the men's draw, the absence of Thailand's top seed Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk has left the door open for Danish second seed Hans-Kristian Vittinghus.

He came through his first round clash against Munawar Mohammed of India, 21-11, 21-12, and then beat another Indian, Neeraj Vashist, 21-14, 20-22, 21-7.

Third seed Srikanth Kidambi carries home Indian hopes but he endured a tough test against compatriot Lakhanee Sarang, eventually prevailing 15-21, 21-17, 21-14.

He enjoyed an easier task in round two against Zulhelmi Zulkiffli of Malaysia, winning 21-8, 21-11.

Fifth seeded Dane Anders Antonsen was another to progress as he beat India's Kiran George 21-9, 21-18 in round one, before a 21-17, 21-12 success over Ratnajit Tamang of Nepal.

Competition will continue in Lucknow tomorrow.