The second seed is one of the sport's biggest names but it was Leverdez who came through in three games, 21-19, 22-24, 21-17 at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow. 

It means that 34-year-old Lee, a perennial bridesmaid who has three Olympic and three World Championship silver medals, is still without one of the sport's two major prizes.

The danger signs were there as Leverdez, ranked 26th in the world, also defeated the Malaysian in Denmark last season.

"I'm really happy, I was relaxed on the court and that was the way I wanted to play," Leverdez said.

"I prepared very well, I usually don't play well when I train hard like this, but I managed to make a difference in my mentality on the court.

"I was able to play with no stress, I know I am the underdog when I play Lee Chong Wei and usually I would have put pressure on myself to play well, but this time I wanted to play my game, joke on court with myself and it will be fine." 

There were no problems for China's Chen Long, the defending world champion and the reigning Olympic gold medallist.

The fifth seed beat Georges Julien Paul of Mauritius 21-7, 21-9 to breeze into the next round.

China's 10th seed Tian Houwei proved too strong for Denmark's Hans-Kristian Vittinghus, prevailing 21-14, 17-21, 21-16.

In the women's competition, top seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan eased through her second round clash, beating Denmark's Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt 21-6, 21-13.

Former world number one Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand also advanced after winning 21-12, 21-7 against Rui Chen Yap of Malaysia

India's P.V Sindhu, the Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist, saw off Kim Hyo Min of South Korea 21-16, 21-14.