KUALA LUMPUR: Newly crowned Arctic Open champion Lee Zii Jia, as expected, cleared the first round of the Denmark Open yesterday.
However, the world No. 11 was made to work hard by Belgium's world No. 43 Julien Carraggi, before chalking up a 19-21, 21-15, 21-10 win.
Zii Jia's real test will come in the second round today, when he takes on world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.
The great Dane had made easy work of his compatriot, Magnus Johannesen, thrashing him 21-7, 21-9 in the opening round.
Also reaching the second round were Malaysia's mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.
The world No. 9 defeated homesters Mathias Thyrri-Amalie Magelund 21-15, 23-21 in the first round, and will face former world champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand next.
It was the end of the road for Malaysia's women's doubles Anna Cheong-Teoh Mei Xing, who lost in straight games, 21-18, 21-14 to sixth seeded China duo, Zhang Shu Xian-Zheng Yu, in the first round.
Also failing to reach the second round was women's singles shuttler, Goh Jin Wei, who was outclassed 21-11, 21-10 by fifth seed He Bing Jiao of China.