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Singapore into table tennis semis, China step up demolition
2008-02-28
Singapore's women reached the semi-finals of the world team table tennis championships in dramatic style here Thursday as giants China continued to demolish all in their path. Singapore were leading their quarter-final clash with the Netherlands 2-0 when Li Jie twisted her ankle in the opening game of the crucial third match, forcing the Europeans to abandon the encounter. "Although I'm pleased that we won, I feel very sorry for the Netherlands, who knows what might have happened if they kept playing," said Wang Yue Gu, who was leading 5-3 when play stopped. It was a crushing end for the Netherlands, whose paddlers survived a two-hour marathon against South Korea late Wednesday night to reach the quarters. Singapore, ninth at the last worlds, face Japan or Hungary in the semis. Those teams take to the tables for their quarter-final showdown later Thursday. Hong Kong take on Austria in the other quarters while Romania have the daunting task of trying to stop formidable China, who are undefeated here. China's equally fearsome men whitewashed Italy 3-0 to reach the quarters, as they stepped up their campaign for a fourth straight team title. Italy took just one game off China, boasting the world's top players who are using the worlds as the perfect warmup for the Beijing Olympics where nothing short of total dominance is expected. Japan also continued to look in scintillating form, downing Serbia 3-0 to finish top of their group and also automatically qualify for the quarters. South Korea, gunning for their first team title, are also in, but were made to suffer anxious moments against a gritty Hungary, before prevailing 3-1. Hong Kong secured a spot after fighting through a 3-2 thriller against Belarus, relegating Singapore to second in their group. Powerhouse Germany suffered a double setback as they attempt to reach the finals. The third seeds were dumped 3-1 by minnows Slovakia, with Bastian Steger injuring a hamstring in his clash, forcing Germany to abandon his match. Germany coach Richard Prause conceded he was a "little shocked" by the loss, and warned that his team needed to recover quickly ahead of the playoffs for the final four quarter-final spots late Thursday. "I think everybody was a little shocked but must not dwell on the loss, we must turn around and get ready for tonight," Prause said. It was the second straight defeat for Germany, who had opted to rest key players for the Slovakia match. As well as Germany and Singapore, six other teams, who finished second and third in their groups, will battle it out in the playoffs.
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