TEAM England's badminton players booked a place in the mixed team semi-finals by beating Canada 3-1.

Worcester-based Simon Archer lost the opening contest of the quarter-final to Robert Milroy 9-21, 6-21.

But Tracey Hallam, silver medallist in the women's singles four years ago, levelled the match score by beating Charmaine Reid 21-6, 21-14.

Anthony Clark and Robert Blair put England ahead with a 21-10, 19-21, 21-18 victory over William Milroy and Michael Beres.

Then Donna Kellogg and Joanne Nicholas triumphed impressively in the women's doubles match with a 21-16, 21-4 victory over Valerie Loke and Tamara Sun.

Their win meant England were able to progress to the semis without Olympic mixed doubles silver medallists Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms having to go into action.

Hallam praised her Canadian opponent. "She's a good player and a good fighter," she said. "There were a lot of shots I fired at her that a lot of people wouldn't get back."

Team England play the winners of the Singapore and India contest in the semis. The other semi features Malaysia and New Zealand.