The Chinese duo headed into their first International Skating Union Grand Prix competition of the season as clear favourites.

Sui and Han produced a strong display and earned 80.90 points from the judges for their short programme routine.

The duo have a comfortable lead over second placed Liubov Ilyushechkina and Charlie Bilodeau of Canada, who scored 68.98.

China’s Cheng Peng and Yang Jin, who sit on 68.50 points, complete the top three at the halfway stage of the competition.

Chinese skaters also look set to benefit from the absence of Nathan Chen of the United States and Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan in the men's singles event.

Han Yan is best placed to take advantage of the opportunity at the midway point.

The home skater achieved a score of 86.46 points in the short programme.

His team mate Jin Boyang lies in second place on 85.43, with Italy’s Matteo Rizzo third on 81.72.

The close scores will see the free skate prove crucial in determining the winner of the event.

Skate America gold medallist Anna Shcherbakova of Russia leads the women’s singles after a short programme score of 73.51.

Japan’s Satoko Miyahara and United States’ Amber Glenn complete the top three on 68.91 and 67.69, respectively, with former world champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia in fourth.

Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov of Russia marked their season debut by topping the rhythm dance standings on 85.39 points.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States are second on 80.34, followed by Canada’s Laurence Fournier and Nikolaj Sorensen on 78.41.

Competition in the four events concludes with the free skate tomorrow.