China dominate

Top seeds and world champions Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei will take on number two pair Xu Chen and Ma Jin for the title at Wembley Arena on Friday after hard-fought semi-final wins.

Both pairs needed to come from behind with Zhang and Zhao extended by Danes Joachim Fischer and Christinna Pedersen before prevailing 17-21 21-17 21-19 in 82 gruelling minutes.

Xu and Ma needed to survive a nervy second game after losing a tight opener against All England champions Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir before winning 21-23 21-18 21-13 in 75 minutes.

The defeat for Ahmad and Natsir means that for the first time in Olympic history Indonesia will not claim at least one badminton gold. They were the country's last representatives after defeat for men's pair Mohammad Ashan and Bona Septano earlier in the day.

The semi-final line-up for the women's singles competitions was completed.

Europe's top player, fifth seed Tine Baun, lost to India's fourth-seeded Saina Nehwal in controversial circumstances.

The Dane started celebrating levelling the match at one game all as she left a Nehwal shot to drop out.

But to her astonishment it was called in and Nehwal reeled off the next five points to take the match 21-15 22-20.

Baun, who angrily threw her racket aside after the final point, said: "I was showing some of my game and my good play.

"I felt confident and there should definitely be a third set."

When aksed if she was convinced the Newhal shot was out, she said: "Yes. It was a critical moment and it made a very big difference to me."

The other three players in the last four are all Chinese.

Top seed Wang Yihan brushed off Cheng Shiao Chieh 21-14 21-11, Wang Xin avoided an upset to beat Thai Intanon Ratchanok 17-21 21- 17 21-14 and Li Xuerui overcame Hong Kong's Yip Pui Yin 21-12 22-20.

Top seeds Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng reached the semi-finals of the men's doubles with victory in their all-Chinese clash with Chai Biao and Guo Zhendong.

Cai and Yun were pushed hard in the second game by the world number sevens but held on for a 21-15 21-19 success.

Their semi-final opponents will be Malaysia's Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong, who won 21-16 21-18 against Isara Bodin and Jongjit Maneepong of Thailand.

Europe will be represented in the last four by Denmark's third seeds Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen, who beat Fang Chieh Min and Lee Sheng Mu of Chinese Taipei 21-16 21-18.

They will play Korean second seeds Chung Jae-sung and Lee Yong-dae, comfortable 21-12 21-16 winners over Ashan and Septano.