WORCESTER'S Simon Archer made a winning start to the men's doubles at the World Badminton Championships in Birmingham.

Archer and his new partner Graham Hurrell swept aside Greek pair George Patis and Theodoros Velkos 15-5 15-3 in just 23 minutes in their first round tie.

They are due to face Danish fourth seeds Lars Paaske and Jonas Rasmussen in the second round today.

Archer also takes on Rasmussen in the first round of the mixed doubles today. Unseeded Archer and partner Kirsteen McEwan take on Rasmussen and Rikke Olsen, seeded four.

The 30-year-old is still confident he can upset the formbook, having needed wild cards to enter after being hit by injuries over the past 18 months.

"Neither of the matches worry me too much," he said. "Maybe we've only got a 30-40 per cent chance to go through but we've got a chance if we can play well.

"There's certainly no pressure on us, but I never go onto the court thinking about losing."