Defending champions China have extended their winning streak to two
after beating the Netherlands 3-0 at the table tennis World Team
Championships in Bremen, Germany.
World number one Wang Liqin led two young players, Wang Hao and
Ma Long, in Tuesday's competitions. Wang and his Dutch opponent
exchanged the lead in the first set which left Wang as the player
laughing last: 11-8.
The beginning of the second set was almost a repeat of the
previous set with the two going head on head to tie at four points
apiece. Wang then managed to launch a series of attacks to win the
set 11-5.
Wang's Dutch rival trailed from behind to tie the score at six
each in the third set. But Wang would not let go of his advantage,
making a few adjustments to his game plan to win the set 11-7, as
well as the match: 3-0.
Young players Wang Hao and Ma Long continued the winning tune
with two more straight victories over their rivals.
After China defeated Serbia 3-0 in the second round of group
matches at the 48th World Team Table Tennis Championships, general
coach of the Chinese women's team Shi Zhihao said that he was
satisfied with all the three players -- veteran Wang Nan, novice
Guo Yue and Li Xiaoxia, but Wang needed to be more reactive and
concentrated.
Wang fought five hard games, as the day before against her Czech
rival, to beat the Serbian counterpart 3-2.
Guo Yue and Li Xiaoxia, who has taken part in big international
games for the first time, overpowered their rivals with a same
3-0.
Shi commented that the performance of Wang Nan was not out of
expectation, adding that facing difficulties and overcoming them in
group stage was good for her to adjust to forthcoming major
competitions.
Asked if he would give Wang more chances to play in following
group matches to help her into best form, Shi said that each of the
five players would have chances, and Wang Nan would continue to
practise.
Shi praised Li Xiaoxia, saying, "You can not tell this is just
her first international appearance."
"She did not lose control in front of difficulties," Shi
noted.
He was confident that each of his five paddlers could be fit for
the matches because there was not any big differences between them
in terms of techniques.
Zhang Yining and Wang Nan had more experiences and international
appearances, Li, Guo Yue as well as Guo Yan, who played against the
Czech Republic Monday, needed more international experiences, he
said.
But the three young players did quite well, Shi said, adding
that their performance was in line with previous expectations.
(Xinhua News Agency and CRI English April 26, 2006)