Aparna Popat made quick work of her first match in the women's badminton competition, crushing South Africa's Michelle Edwards 11-6, 11-3 to move into the round of sixteen at the Athens Olympics on Saturday.

She will meet Mia Audina of the Netherlands.

The fourth seeded Audina, who won the silver medal in the Atlanta Games representing Indonesia, beat Nigella Saunders of Jamaica 11-4, 11-1.

Popat won easily, outmanouvering her South African opponent with a mixture of drops and well-placed shots.

The 27th world ranked Indian hardly needed to use the smash against an opponent who was visibly tired after being forced to do all the running during the match.