China

China paddlers continue winning streak

(CRI)
Updated: 2007-05-24 10:41

Yao Yan (L) and Zhang Jike were the first Chinese athletes eliminated from the championship after a defeat to German couple Christian Suss and Elke Wosik on Wednesday, May 23, 2007. [Sportsphoto.cn]

All Chinese players in the single's competition of the ongoing 2007 World Table Tennis Championship have made it into the next round as of Wednesday night.

Wang Liqin comfortably advanced after clean victories over Chinese Taipei rival Chiang Hung-Chieh, and Belgian top gun Philippe Saive.

Other Chinese players, including Wang Hao and Chen Qi, also booked places in the next round with straight wins.

China's arch rival, German powerhouse Timo Boll is also in the third round, but a close 4-2 win puts his future in the tournament in doubt. Belarussian veteran Vladimir Samsonov easily beat Singaporean Cai Xiao Li in straight sets.

Under the guidance of world No.1 Zhang Yining and veteran Wang Nan, all China’s female single's players—including three rookies to the world championship—went unchallenged to advance into the next round.

Wins in both the men's and women's doubles, has ensured all six Chinese pairs will move forward in the tournament.

China did however encounter difficulty in the mixed doubles. Yao Yan and Zhang Jike were the first Chinese athletes eliminated from the championship after a defeat to German couple Christian Suss and Elke Wosik. A further six Chinese duos did advance though.