Malaysia's Datuk Lee Chong Wei maintained his winning pace to advance to the semi-finals of the All England Badminton Championships in Birmingham.

He comfortably trounced China's Tian Houwei 21-12 dan 21-15 in their quarter-final match played early today, Malaysia time.

Chong Wei will face Taiwanese Chou Tien Chen who defeated Thailand's Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk 21-19, 16-21, 21-8 in another quarter-final match.

Meanwhile, China's Lin Dan is also through to the semi-finals after warding off the challenge from Denmark's Viktor Axelsen 8-21, 21-14, 21-15.

He will face countryman Shi Yuqi who defeated Kazumasa Sakai from Japan, 21-13 and 21-4 in another quarter-final match.

Also in the semi-finals for Malaysia are mixed doubles Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying who dismissed Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping from China, 23-21 and 21-14 in their quarter-final game.

They will meet Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino from Japan who overcame South Koreans Yoo Yeon Seong-Kim Ha Na 21-17, 18-21, 22-20.

But for national men's doubles Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, the semi-final quest ended following their defeat at the hands of China's Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen 19-21, 21-17, 19-21.

-- BERNAMA