Both Top-seeded Chinese out in Men's, Women's Quarters

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, April 05, 2003

Both Top-seeded Chinese out in Men's, Women's Quarters

Badminton world number one Chen Hongof China was washed out in Japan Open quarter-finals by his compatriot Lin Dan Friday in Tokyo.

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Badminton world number one Chen Hongof China was washed out in Japan Open quarter-finals by his compatriot Lin Dan Friday in Tokyo.

Lin edged out Chen 8-15, 15-10, 17-14 to advance to the semi-finals, facing Denmark's Kenneth Jonassen who defeated South Korean Shon Seung-mo 15-3, 15-7.

Chinese coach Li Yongbo said Chen's elimination was not a surprise since "they are well matched in strength, meanwhile they are teammates in the national squad so that they are familiar witheach other".

China's second seed Xia Xuanze also advanced to the last four after easing past two-time champion Demark's Peter Gade 15-12, 15-8.

"I feel great," said the 2000 All England champion Xia, who played near-flawlessly during his 39-minute battle against Gade. "I'm very satisfied with the way I played today."

Xia is to play Asian Games gold medalist Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia, who overcame a stiff challenge from Hong Kong's Ng Wei before prevailing 15-13, 171-5 in 65 minutes.

Men's events were played as the Chinese coach expected, but women's quarter-finals seemed not acceptable to him.

Women's quarter-finals saw the top-ranked Chinese dumped out asDenmark's Camilla Martin eliminated Zhang Ning in a gritty three-game battle, 11-4, 0-11, 11-2.

China's fourth ranked defending champion Zhou Mi was ousted by Pi Yanhong of France, who was Zhou's teammate before emigrating toFrance, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7.

"I think it is common that Zhang was beaten by Martin, because they are very close," said Li. "But Zhou failed to pass Pi, it was out of my expectation. I think Zhou was not in her form."

Xie Xiangfang also upset world champion Gong Ruina 11-9, 13-12 in an all-Chinese match, while another former Chinese representative Wang Chen of Hong Kong defeated Jun Jae-Youn of South Korea 11-5, 11-5.

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