HA NOI -- Vietnamese badminton player Nguyen Tien Minh easily defeated Eric Pang of the Netherlands 21-15, 21-18 in the first round match of the Li Ning Singapore Open yesterday.

It was sweet revenge for sixth-seeded Minh, who lost 17-21, 17-21 against the Dutchman in their last clash at the Denmark Open Super Series four years ago.

Ranked as the world No. 11, Minh took only 34 minutes to dispatch Pang, who was unseeded in Singapore. Pang delivered some strong counter-attacks against Minh despite his swift defeat.

In the second round this afternoon, Minh will play Ajay Jayaram of India who took his berth after beating Brice Leverdez of France 21-12, 21-14 yesterday.

Minh previously lost 18-21, 19-21 to Jayaram at the Yonex Open Japan last year. Earlier the Vietnamese player beat Jayaram 21-14, 21-12 at the Vietnam Grand Prix in 2008. -- VNS