The Chinese star had been expected to overcome his compatriot Xue Song, but surprisingly lost the opening game 21-19 to put his hopes of winning the event for the third time in five years at risk.

Song continued to impress throughout the duration of the second game, claiming it 21-17 to dethrone Long.

He will now meet Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in the quarter-finals, after her came through a difficult tie against South Korea’s Son Wan-ho.

Axelsen won the opening game 21-19 only the world number nine  to take a lengthy second 24-22 and take the contest into a decider.

Axelsen regained the momentum, however, and began to dominate his opponent to take the game 21-12.

Fellow Dane Jan Ø Jørgensen enjoyed a more straightforward day, as the third seed cruised into the quarter-finals beating Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long 21-13, 21-16.

After escaping from the brink of first round elimination yesterday, defending women’s champion Carolina Marin looked back to her best against Indonesia’s Maria Febe Kusumastuti.

The Spaniard claimed the opening game 21-17 before wrapping up an impressive victory, winning the second 21-7.

“Today I felt a lot better than yesterday,” Marin said.

“Yesterday was a tough match after two months off but today I am happy with my performance and how I managed the game.

“I think I kept calm and was confident in myself on court and didn’t make many mistakes”.

Second seed Saina Nehwal is on the bottom half of the draw and the Indian kept up her pursuit of a place in the final, brushing aside Thailand’s Busanan Ongbumrungpan 21-16, 21-9.

Home favourites Chris and Gabrielle Adcock moved into the quarter-finals of the mixed doubles event as the English pair triumphed 21-12, 21-16 against South Korea’s Shin Seung-chan and Kim Gi-jung.

Top seeds Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei also progressed, securing a 21-13, 21-14 win over Thailand’s Bodin Isara and Savitree Amitrapai.