The pair eventually saw off Czech pair Barbora Hermannova and Marketa Slukova 21-14, 19-21, 18-16 in a 49-minute quarter final.

They will now meet compatriots Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst, the top seeds, who came past Vasiliki Arvaniti and Panagiota Karagkouni of Greece 21-18, 21-19 in their last eight match.

All of the quarter-finalists earlier had to battle through second round clashes as well as the knock-out action began at the World Tour event.

Holtwick and Semmler were knocked out of the London 2012 Olympic tournament by Sara Niedrig and one half of their semi-final opponents, Ludwig.

"I think playing last week in Sochi helped us gain a rhythm for our game,” said Semmler after last week's action in Russia, where they were beaten in the last four. 

Ana Gallay and Georgina Klug of Argentina ended the hopes of another German duo, beating the combination of Victoria Bieneck and Julia Großner 21-17, 21-13.

It was also the end of the road for Karla Borger and Britta Buthe as Germans contested all four quarter-finals.

The second seeds were sent packing by Finland's Riikka Lehtonen and Taru Lahti, who came from behind to triumph 16-21, 23-21, 16-14.

The women's semi-finals and final will be held tomorrow.

Group stage action has also been continuing in the men's competition ahead of tomorrow's start of the knock-out phase.