China's top two players Lin Dan and Chen Jin both made it to the quarterfinals of the US$250,000 China Open badminton championships in Guangzhou on Thursday.

Lin Dan, the world champion, ousted fellow Chinese Lu Qicheng 21-16 and 21-14 as the 23-year-old dominated the whole match.

Lu who tried hard but failed to catch up and lost the first set 16-21, once led 8-2 in the second before Lin found his rhythm quickly to tie 11-all and won eventually 21-14.

In the quarterfinals, Lin will meet teammate Chen Hong who beat Palyama Dicky from Netherlands 21-9 and 21-16.

Chen Jin, the second seed of China, eliminated Kuan Beng Hong from Malaysia 21-11 and 21-9.

Chen surged ahead 7-0 in the first set, allowing his opponent no chance of catching up throughout.

In the women's singles, Zhang Ning, the Japan Open champion, thrashed Meulendijks Judith from Netherlands 21-17 and 21-10, while world champion Xie Xinfang suffered an upset, losing to teammate Wang Yihan 21-14, 19-21 and 15-21.

(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2006)