Players from the host nation booked five spots in the semifinals at the BWF (Badminton World Federation) World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, after the second night of competition wrapped up on Thursday.

World No. 1 and defending champion Shi Yuqi edged 35-year-old veteran Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei 21-11, 19-21, 21-15 in a 75-minute marathon, earning his second straight win in the men's singles Group B event to advance to the last four.

The win was Shi's 14th against Chou in 19 career meetings and the 29-year-old remains unbeaten against the 2018 Asian Games silver medalist since last season.

"My opponent made many changes in the second game, with some tricks I hadn't seen before, which put a lot of pressure on my focus," Shi said. "His physical ability is truly exceptional to maintain this level. Apart from Lin Dan, his physical talent might be the best I've ever seen."

In the other match in the group, Japan's Kodai Naraoka defeated China's Li Shifeng 21-16, 21-15, ending his hopes of reaching the semifinals. Naraoka will take on Shi in their final group contest.

On the women's side, Wang Zhiyi continued her title defense by sweeping past Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon 21-17, 21-19. China's World No. 2 picked up her second consecutive win in Group B, booking her semifinal place in advance after Thai hopeful Pornpawee Chochuwong withdrew from Group B due to an injury.

Chinese pair Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning will appear in the women's doubles last four, following a 21-7, 21-10 win over the Republic of Korea's Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee.

Two mixed doubles pairs – Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping along with Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin – will represent China in the semifinals as well. Feng and Huang battled back to outlast Malaysian duo Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai 23-25, 21-11, 22-20. Jiang and Wei beat Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito 21-17, 21-16.