Earlier, Ma Lin trounced sixth seed Samsonov 11-9, 11-7, 12-10, 9-11, 11-6 in a clash of two hungry tigers.

Ma has won four World Cups, but has never owned a world championship or Olympic singles title.

Samsonov has never claimed a world championship either, although he has won three European top honors and two World Cups.

Ma Lin, twice world runner-up, tried to avoid long rallies with the 1.90m-tall Samsonov as the penholder attacked early with powerful forehand.

The tactics worked well.

"We know each other's play and today's game was just a normal one to me," said Ma.

"Ma Lin is very difficult. I need something special in my game to beat him," said Samsonov.

In the other quarter-final, Chinese Wang Hao, a surprise loser to Ryu Seung Min in the 2004 Olympic final, beat South Korean Joo Se Hyuk 11-4, 11-9, 11-3, 11-3.

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