Top seed Beiwen Zhang of the United States comfortably overcame Chinese Taipei’s Lee Chia Hsin today to earn a place in the women's semi-finals at the BWF Bitburger Open ©Getty Images

Top seed Beiwen Zhang of the United States comfortably overcame Chinese Taipei’s Lee Chia Hsin today to earn a place in the women's semi-finals at the Badminton World Federation Bitburger Open.

Zhang prevailed 21-7, 21-12 at the Saarlandhalle in the German city of Saarbrücken.

Victory sets up a last-four encounter with another Taiwanese player, Pai Yu Po, who beat compatriot Sung Shuo Yun 21-5, 21-17.

Contesting the other semi-final will be China’s Chen Xiaoxin and Thailand’s Nitchaon Jindapol after both came through their matches today.

Fourth seed Chen defeated Indonesia’s Dinar Dyah Ayustine 21-8, 21-16, while second seed Jindapol overcame Chinese Taipei’s Chiang Mei Hui 21-12, 21-16.

Third seed Brice Leverdez of France suffered elimination from the men's singles event ©Getty Images
Third seed Brice Leverdez of France suffered elimination from the men's singles event ©Getty Images

In the men’s singles draw, the highest remaining seed, France's Brice Leverdez, suffered a surprise 21-19, 18-21, 10-21 loss to Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia.

Leverdez and Lee were seeded third and 14th respectively.

Next up for Lee is unseeded Dane Rasmus Gemke, who upset seventh seed Ygor Coelho of Brazil with a 21-12, 15-21, 21-12 win.

Also through to the semi-finals is Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Jen Hao, after the fourth seed came from behind to beat China’s Huang Yuxiang 13-21, 21-15, 21-17.

Awaiting Hsu in the penultimate round is 12th-seeded Dutchman Mark Caljouw, who defied the odds to defeat eighth-seeded Thai Khosit Phetpradab 21-18, 21-23, 21-14.

The tournament is due to continue tomorrow.