Chinese shuttlers occupied three of the four seats in Singapore Open women's singles semifinals after Friday's matches.
China's Jiang Yanjiao won straight sets over compatriot Wang Yihan to meet in the semifinals with teammate Xie Xingfang, who knocked out Thailand's Salakjit Ponsana 21-17, 21-9.
China's other shuttler Wang Lin also made it to the final four by winning the six seed Saina Nehwal of India 19-21, 21-19, 21-14. Wang will face the first seed, Zhou Mi from China's Hong Kong in the semifinals.
In the men's singles, China's Chen Jin beat Denmark's Jan O Jorgensen 15-21, 21-17, 21-18. Bao Chunlai defeated Vietnam's Nguyen Tien Minh 21-16, 21-13.
The two Chinese players will compete in the semifinals, and the winner will face either South Korea's Park Sung Hwan or Thailand's Boonsak Ponsana to fight for the title.
In the men's doubles, China's only pair Guo Zhendong/Xu Chen lost to England's Anthony Clark/Nathan Robertson 17-21, 18-21.
In the women's doubles, China's Zhao Tingting/Zhang Yanwen advanced to the next round. They will confront Ha Jung Eun/Kim Min Jung of South Korea in the semifinals.
In the mixed doubles, China's two pairs showed exit to their rivals both from Denmark. Xie Zhongbo/Zhang Yawen will challenge the first seed, Nova Widianto/Liliyana Natsir of Indonesia in the semifinals, while Zheng Bo/Ma Jin will meet the second seed Lee Yong Dae/Lee Hyo Jung of South Korea.
The Aviva Open Singapore 2009, the fifth super series badminton event of the year, kicked off at Singapore Indoor Stadium on Tuesday. With a total prize of 200,000 U.S. dollars, the six-day event has brought together over 240 top players from 28 countries and regions.
(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2009)
