China

China makes semis at women's table tennis

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-12-01 08:55

World championships runners-up Hong Kong of China have been shown the door after losing 3-1 to Li Jia Wei-led Singapore at the Asian Games women's table tennis team competition on Thursday, while China scrambled a little to reach the semifinals with a 3-1 win over Japan.

China's Guo Yue plays a shot to Japanese's rival during women's quaterfinals match at the Doha Asian Games in Doha November 30,2006.Guo won the match 3-1.[Xinhua]

"Real competition began today," said China head coach Shi Zhihao, referring to the threat to the world champions posed by the Japanese.

The 18-year-old Guo Yue overcame a frustrating 4-7 start to tie8-all, before taking it 12-10 on three straight points.

She thus came back to her own style, trouncing the "Japanese Babe" 11-6 at the following set.

Guo Yue, however, should have made it a short work and finished the fight in straight sets, but Fukuhara, also 18, turned the tables 12-10 after the umpire made a mistake in favor of Guo and the Chinese intentionally gifted "Ai-chan" a point.

Another scare occurred to the Chinese sensation before she wrapped up the victory, as Fukuhara saved an astonishing 12 match points before Guo won the fourth set 22-20.

"Guo Yue should be more concentrated, especially when taking the upper hand," commented Shi.

Chinese veteran Wang Nan won 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 over former Chinese Saki Kanazawa in the first game and Guo Yan beat Fukuoka Haruna 11-8, 10-12, 11-6, 11-5 to follow Guo Yue's victory.

Former Beijing player Li Jia Wei scored two points in Singapore's 3-1 upset win over Hong Kong, beating Lin Ling and Tie Yana.

Sun Bei Bei was Singapore's other winner, trouncing Hong Kong top player Tie in straight sets.

Hong Kong's only point came from Lau Sui Fei, who edged Zhang Xue Ling in five sets.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea and South Korea also made it to the semifinals, ousting Thailand and India respectively at the Al Arabi Indoor Hall.