Three of the four semi-finalists in the Women's en's Singles event at the Qatar Open are from China and in the Men's Singles event it is exactly the same.

Three of the four semi-finalists in the Women's Singles event at the Qatar Open in Doha are from China and in the Mens Singles event it is exactly the same scenario following the quarter-final contests played on Thursday 16th February 2006.

The Chinese trio of Wang Liqin, Wang Hao and Ma Lin all emerged successful with the interloper being the Czech Republic's Petr Korbel.

In the quarter-finals, Wang Liqin beat compatriot Chen Qi 11-6, 11-13, 11-3, 11-7, 11-5, Wang Hao defeated Romania's Adrian Crisan 11-7, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6, a player against whom he had lost on their two most recent encounters in World Ranking events, whilst Ma Lin ended the progress of Sweden's Jens Lundqvist. Ma Lin won 11-7, 11-2, 11-4, 9-11, 11-4.

Meanwhile, Petr Korbel, having beaten Evgueni Chtchetinine in four straight games in round three, was involved in the closest of the four quarter-final contests beating Chinese Taipei's Chuan Chih-Yuan in an encounter that went the full seven games distance.

Petr Korbel won 11-7, 11-2, 10-12, 11-8, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9.

In the semi-finals Petr Korbel plays Ma Lin whilst Wang Liqin faces Wang Hao.

In the women's competition, world number one Zhang Yining overpowered her predicussor Wang Nan 4-1 to reach the semis. Li Xiaoxia captured another seat at the cost of teammate Guo Yuo who finished first at the recent national trials for World Team Championships.

(CRI English February 17, 2006)