HONG KONG - London Olympics bronze medalist Chen Long spent 49 minutes to beat Daren Liaw of Malaysia on Thursday and kept China's hope of defeating the men's singles title alive at the 2012 Hong Kong Badminton Open.

As the only Chinese player to reach the second round in men's singles event, Chen Long spent 49 minutes to beat Daren Liew of Malaysia 21-8, 21-13. The newly crowned China Open champion will play against fifth-seeded Sho Sasaki in Friday's quarterfinals.

Chen Long of China plays against Daren Liaw of Malaysia during the second round of 2012 Hong Kong Badminton Open on Nov 22, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

The Chinese team sent five players to compete in men's singles event and four of them failed to qualify from the first round, which includes 2008 Hong Kong Open champion Chen Jin and China Open runner-up Wang Zhengming.

World's No 1 Lee Chong-wei of Malaysia defeated Indian Ajay Jayaram to book a berth in the top eight. Jayaram eliminated Wang Zhengming in Wednesday's first round.

While Chen Long became China's only hope in men's singles, their female players took three spots out of eight in women's singles event.

Japan's Minatsu Mitani retired of injury in the second game, which awarded World's No 1 and first-seeded Wang Yihan a quarterfinal place. Wang Lin, who came through the qualification matches, beat No 3 seed Saina Nehwal of India 21-19, 21-15 while teammate Li Xuerui, London Olympics champion, also qualified and will face Tine Baun of Denmark in quarterfinals.

Wang Shixian, champion of 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, lost to Thailand's 21-year-old Porntip Buranaprasertsuk in three games. The Thai described this victory as "impossible" and "lucky".

Lee Chong-wei of Malaysia hits a return to Indian Ajay Jayaram of India during the second round of 2012 Hong Kong Badminton Open on Nov 22, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Chen Xiaojia of China sprained her left ankle while trailing 21-22 to German Juliane Schenk in the second game and forced to retire. Chen won the first game 21-14.

Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng and Liu Xiaolong/Qiu Zihan both made into quarterfinals in men's doubles event. The two Chinese pairs may meet in Saturday's semifinals if both wins on Friday.

Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei came from behind to beat teammates Qiu Zihan/Luo Yu in a second round match of mixed doubles 20-22, 21-16, 21-15 while Xu Chen/Ma Jin took a quick win over an India pair.

The Chinese team also took three places in women's doubles quarterfinals.