China's top-seeded Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng thrashed compatriots Bao Zilong and Deng Xiao 21-14, 21-13 to sail into semifinals of men's doubles at 2007 Beijing International Badminton Tournament on Friday.

 

The world No. 2 pair penetrated unseeded rivals' defense with fierce attacks and effective cross-court drop shots to claim the win in the first set in nine minutes.

 

The second set was opened by the powerful pair's overwhelming lead 12-0 before Cai's error helping their opponents gain the first point. Though Bao and Deng later netted seven points in a row, the in-form Cai and Fu were simply too strong for them to land in the final victory 21-13 in 20 minutes.

 

Meanwhile, second-seeded Xie Zhongbo and Guo Zhendong knocked down Zhang Zhijie and Lu Su 21-14, 21-13 to secure a spot in the semifinals.

 

On another court, fourth-seeded Xu Chen and Sun Junjie downed teammate Tang Caokai Fu and Tao Jiaming 21-8, 21-16 while third-seeded Zhang Lei and He Qi dispelled Gui Bing and Liang Jingchun 21-9, 21-18 in the men's doubles quarterfinals.

 

Men's doubles semifinals and final will be held on October 13 and October 14 respectively at the Beijing University of Technology (BUT) Gymnasium, the badminton venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2007)