PETALING JAYA: National singles shuttlers Leong Jun Hao and K Letshanaa progressed to the second round of the World Championships in New Delhi, India, today after beating unheralded players from Brazil and Uganda, respectively.

However, both players will have to brace themselves for gruelling matches ahead.

Jun Hao will face China’s world No. 9 Li Shi Feng, while Letshanaa takes on third-ranked Wang Zhi Yi in the next round at the Indira Gandhi indoor stadium tomorrow.

Shi Feng has beaten Jun Hao in eight of their nine encounters so far, while Letshanaa has lost to the Chinese player in their two previous meetings.

In the opening round today, world No 27 Jun Hao took 45 minutes to defeat 66th-ranked Brazilian Jonathan Matias 21-19, 21-15.

Letshanaa, ranked No 31 in the world, romped home to a 21-11, 21-7 victory in 23 minutes over Ugandan Fadilah Shamika Rafi, who is ranked 86 slots below her.