Viktor Axelsen was forced to withdraw from the tournament following a toe infection suffered in the China Open © Getty Images

Viktor Axelsen's match against Japan’s Kazumasa Sakai was declared a walkover after he failed to recover from a toe infection suffered in the final of the China Open.

Writing on Instagram, Axelsen, 23,  from Denmark, wrote: “No good news here from Hong Kong as I won't be able to play tonight because of an infection in my right little toe. 

"I have tried to treat it since the final at the China Open, but it's still impossible for me to have my foot in a shoe without causing too much pain and making it worse. 

"Hopefully I can get over this soon and prepare well for the Dubai SS Finals. 

"I am, of course, really disappointed, as I had been looking forward to play in Hong Kong this year.”

Tai Tzu-ying, the first seed in the women's singles, remains in the competition © Getty Images
Tai Tzu-ying, the first seed in the women's singles, remains in the competition © Getty Images

Sakai, the beneficiary from Axelsen's misfortune, will now face Indian Prannoy Kumar, who came through a three-game match against Hong Kong’s Hu Yun in one hour and one minute, tomorrow.

There were no such problems for the other first seeds playing today, with Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo from Indonesia in men’s doubles, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan of China in women’s doubles and Chinese Taipei's Tai Tzu-ying in women’s singles all making it to the next round.

However, there was a shock exit from the tournament in the women’s doubles, with second seed Japanese pairing Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi losing in just two games, with an overall points deficit of 12, to South Koreans Chang Ye-na and Jung Kyung-eun who will now face Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu of Indonesia tomorrow.