SINGAPORE - National paddler Feng Tianwei failed to defend her Asian Cup title, after losing in the semi-finals to reigning Olympic champion Li Xiaoxia in Dubai late Friday night.

She was beaten 11-7, 11-4, 4-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6 by her world No. 5 opponent.

Feng, now ranked No. 7, won the title last year for her first continental win.

She will next play Hong Kong veteran Tie Yana in the bronze medal match on Saturday.

Team-mate Gao Ning suffered a similar result in the men's singles semi-final. The world No. 27 was beaten 8-11, 11-7, 11-2, 11-4, 11-1 by China's world No. 3 Xu Xin.

Gao will play Hong Kong's Wong Chun Ting in the bronze medal match on Saturday.