Liew Daren showed glimpses of what he can produce at the highest level after the Malaysian disposed of Israel’s Misha Zilberman 21-14, 21-14 in his World Championships opener in Huelva, Spain, on Monday.

Liew had come into this season finale on the back of four consecutive first-round exits and was desperate to end that rut in the same tournament which saw him clinch a bronze medal only three years ago.

The former world number 10 methodically worked his opponent before finding a margin of error to exploit throughout the match.

Liew’s 39-minute victory could have been bigger and faster had he not committed a flurry of unforced errors, especially towards the end of the second game.

But the independent shuttler should nonetheless be pleased to come away with his third consecutive win against the same opponent.

He now awaits the winner between H.S. Prannoy and Angus Ng Ka Long for his second round encounter.

Lee Zii Jia also came through with 21-10, 17-21, 21-11 victory over Canada's Jason Anthony Ho-Shue.

The world number seven now faces Brazilian Ygor Coelho for a place in the third round.

In the mixed doubles, Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See did well to dispose of Dutch pair Ties Van Der Lecq-Debora Jille, and now await the match between Dejan Ferdinansyah-Serena Kani/Mark Lamsfuss-Isabel Lohau.

In the women's doubles, young pair Teoh Mei Xing-Yap Ling lost in straight games 18-21, 17-21 to Denmark's Alexandra Boje-Mette Poulsen.

The big upset was reigning Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen being sent crashing out by Singapore's Loh Kean Yew 14-21, 21-9, 21-6.