India's Anup Sridhar in quarters

By Dave Thompson

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Big names tumbled freely on a day of extraordinary action at the world badminton championships on Thursday.

Malaysia's pride and joy Lee Chong Wei, seeded two, was soundly beaten by ninth seed Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia 21-11 21-9 in the third round and third seed Chen Jin of China lost to Singapore's Ronny Susilo 21-19 21-14.

There was also a big shock in the women's singles in which champion Xie Xingfang, winner in 2005 and 2006, went down 21-10 21-8 to Malaysia's Wong Mew Choo.

Wong's victory was some consolation to the home contingent, still awaiting a first world title since the inaugural tournament in 1977 and hugely disappointed at Lee's swift exit.

Thursday's upsets followed the stunning departure on Wednesday of Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia, who lost in three sets to unseeded Indian Anup Sridhar.

It was left to top seed and defending champion Lin Dan of China to restore some order as he proceeded to Friday's quarter-finals with a 21-18 21-17 victory over Dutchman Dicky Palyama.

Lin's compatriots Bao Chunlai, seeded four, and Chen Yu (6) also progressed to the last eight, along with Sridhar who provided another disappointment for the home fans when he beat Malaysia's Hafiz Hashim 21-19 18-21 21-15.

The Danish duo of Peter Gade (5) and Kenneth Jonassen (7) also secured their appointed places.