The world's top-ranked shuttlers were sent tumbling out of the OUE Singapore Open yesterday, as both China's Chen Long and Spain's Carolina Marin suffered upsets in their quarter-final ties.

Chen, despite riding a momentum that had led to a seven-point lead against Hong Kong's Angus Ng in the second game, ended up squandering 10 points in a row before losing 21-14, 21-17.

The women's singles No. 1 Marin, nursing a flu and a sore ankle, was no match for her fearless opponent Akane Yamaguchi, who was buoyed by the significant Japanese support as she came from behind to win 13-21, 21-18, 21-18.

Said Chen, whose joy from a best showing at the event in three attempts lasted just one day: "It's quite a pity. Maybe I felt that I had a good lead in the second game and started to relax a bit.

"My opponent did very well today, especially in the first game. I handed the second game to him."

Ng, the world No. 16, was especially effective in wrong-footing his more illustrious opponent yesterday. But the manner in which he took out the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist surprised even the player himself.

Said Ng: "I set out attacking the back of the court more so that I could create opportunities for myself at the net. I just wanted to treat this match as a good learning experience and did not expect to win in straight games.

"To be able to defeat such a strong player is a great experience, but it's still a long way to go before I can think about winning the title."

Ng will play Son Wan Ho in the semi-finals today, after the South Korean's 11-21, 21-15, 21-19 win over China's Tian Houwei ensured that there will be a non-Chinese shuttler in the men's singles final.

Lin Dan is the lone Chinese left in the event after beating Tommy Sugiarto 21-18, 21-14, and will play his fourth Indonesian opponent in a row when he meets qualifier Sony Dwi Kuncoro today.

Spaniard Marin, meanwhile, rued her lacklustre performance at the net. The 22-year-old mounted a strong comeback in the rubber game, winning six points in a row to take a 18-17 lead, but was undone by her own mistakes in the end.

She said: "She played better than me at the net and I had to be ready but I wasn't. I'm disappointed with how I managed at the net.

"I (told) myself (that) I can continue - I have to try because she was leading. It was a tough match."

The win will do much to boost Yamaguchi's confidence. The 18-year-old has suffered a series of early exits at tournaments so far this season. Speaking through a translator, she said: "I'm coming back up, I've got confidence, but I want to play the top players in the semi-finals and final stage and I have to step up to do that."

Yamaguchi will take on an in-form Ratchanok Intanon today. The Thai world No. 2 swept past team-mate Porntip Buranaprasertsuk 21-12, 21-18 yesterday.

Said Ratchanok, who is riding on a high after picking up two titles in as many weeks before coming to Singapore: "I'm feeling good physically. My target is to be the champion in Singapore."

OUE SINGAPORE OPEN
S-finals: S'pore Indoor Stadium, StarHub Ch203, 2pm