The women's players had to negotiate two rounds today at the Aspire Dome and the Chinese star negotiated both for the loss of just one game.

She first saw off Sofia Polcanova of Austria 11-7, 11-6, 11-2, 11-7 in round two to reach the quarter-finals.

In the last eight Chen, the German Open winner and three-time World Championship gold medallist, knocked out compatriot Wang Yidi 11-5, 11-8, 13-15, 11-6, 11-6.

Chen will play another Chinese player, fourth seed and defending Qatar Open champion Manyu Wang, in the semi-finals.

Manyu ousted two compatriots, firstly seeing off Qian Tianyi 11-5, 11-7, 11-8, 11-8.

Her quarter-final victim was Zhu Yuling who she beat in six games, 11-3, 11-3, 13-15, 9-11, 11-9, 12-10.

Reigning Olympic champion Ding Ning of China, the sixth seed, is also still in contention after knocking out Japan's Miu Hirano 11-4, 12-10, 11-8, 11-7 and China's Chen Xingtong 11-6, 11-4, 11-8, 11-1.

Ding will play Japanese third seed Mima Ito, the Hungarian Open champion who began today by beating compatriot Hitomi Sato 11-7, 11-4, 11-5, 10-12, 11-7.

She followed up with a 11-6, 11-7, 12-14, 5-11, 11-5, 11-7 win over Singapore's Tianwei Feng.

In the men's draw there was a shock as defending Qatar Open champion and reigning Olympic gold medallist Ma Long was knocked out.

The Chinese lost to compatriot Wang Chuqin in the second round, 13-15, 14-12, 4-11, 11-8, 3-11, 13-11, 11-6.

Only the second round clashes were played in the men's draw with the quarter-finals tomorrow.

Chinese world number two and top seed Fan Zhendong comfortably advanced against fellow countryman Xu Chenhao, 11-4, 11-5, 11-9, 11-3.

Xu Xin, China's second seed, was also comfortable as he knocked out Japan's Koki Niwa 15-13, 11-5, 11-3, 11-8.