Semi-finals day ended in despair for the hosts as their representatives in three events failed to cross the penultimate hurdle. Here are some visuals of yesterday’s action.

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BWF home page: Denmark’s Mixed Doubles star Joachim Fischer Nielsen is a picture of disappointment after failing to make it to the final with partner Christinna Pedersen.

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Spaniard Carolina Marin enjoyed a near-perfect day as her tactical variations proved too hard for Women’s Singles opponent PV Sindhu (India) to counter.

Xu Chen and Ma Jin will have a chance to make amends for losing last year’s World Championships gold medal by a whisker. Xu/Ma outplayed Joachim Fischer Nielsen/Christinna Pedersen 21-15 21-9.

Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei made his third straight World Championships Men’s Singles final beating Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen 21-9 21-7.

Reigning Women’s Doubles champions Yu Yang/Wang Xiaoli (China) cruised to a 21-8 21-13 result over Japan’s Reika Kakiiwa/Miyuki Maeda.

Korea’s in-form Men’s Doubles pair Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong held off a late burst from Danes Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen, 21-12 21-18.

Tommy Sugiarto’s dream of emulating his father Icuk as World champion suffered a blow as he lost to China’s Chen Long 21-16 22-20.

Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei (China) have an opportunity to add to their 2011 World Championships gold medal after they overpowered compatriots Liu Cheng/Bao Yixin 21-15 21-13.