Veteran campaigner Wong Choong Hann's hopes of making a strong comeback in Europe were dashed by South Korean Park Sung-hwan in the first round of the French Open in Paris yesterday.

The 30-year-old Malaysian southpaw, who was forced out of the preceding Danish Open because of a hip injury, was beaten 12-21, 16-21 by the South Korean number one.

The early exit in the 10th leg of the Super Series yesterday could scupper his hopes of breaking into the top 10 in the world rankings at the end of the year.

Currently the second highest ranked Malaysian in 13th spot after world number two Lee Chong Wei, he has to do well in the remaining two legs of the inaugural Series to move up the ranks.

Choong Hann's best achievement this year was a runner-up finish in the China Masters in July. He was a semi-finalist in the Macau Open last month.

Sung-hwan will be out to scalp another big name when he takes on top seed and world champion Lin Dan in the second round today. The Chinese defeated Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro 21-18, 17-21, 21-7 in a repeat of the World Championships final match in Kuala Lumpur three months ago.

Choong Hann was not the only Malaysian seasoned campaigner to bow out in the first round of the men's singles.

Roslin Hashim crashed out 10-21, 15-21 to Shoji Sato of Japan in just 33 minutes while Yeoh Kay Bin was beaten 11-21, 25-27 by world number 15 Przemyslaw Wacha of Poland.

KLRC's Sairul Amar Ayob managed to clear his first-round hurdle, beating Dutchman Eric Pang 19-21, 22-20, 21-16.

Sairul will play against Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand today for a place in the quarter-finals.

The women's singles competition provided the biggest shock on the opening day of competition.

World champion Zhu Lin of China was shown the exit by Russia's Ella Diehl, losing 21-19, 15-21, 17-21.

Copyright © 2007 Star Online.