China monopolizes Universiade table tennis team titles
( 2001-08-26 10:19 ) (8 )

China monopolized the table tennis team titles at the 21st Universiade table tennis when its men's team beat Chinese Taipei while the women's squad defeated South Korea in the finals on Saturday.

The Chinese men's team, led by world number one Wang Liqin, dethroned Chinese Taipei 3-0 with only one set down.

It was agonizing defeat for Chuan Chih-Yuan, who wasted four match points before bowing out to Liu Guozheng's determination and lost the first set 26-24.

Liu Guozheng continued his winning trend in the second set by beating Chuan 21-11 easily.

The next match was a clash between Wang Liqin and Chinese Taipei's top paddler Chiang Peng-Lung. The first set was deadlocked from 1-all to 13-all before Wang finally snatched the victory with a 8-1 run.

The second set was a see-saw game to 13-13 until Chiang Peng- Lung pulled away to 20-14. Chiang squandered three set points and Wang rallied back to make it 17-20. But Chiang finally caught next point and pulled the scoreline 1-1.

The decisive set was even more heated. Wang scored five points in a row to come back from 7-9 behind to lead 12-10 before a time- out from China, extending his lead to 15-11 till taking the set and the match 21-17.

Xi Minjie routed Chang Yen-Shu 21-18, 21-17 in the third match and concluded the two-hour competition.

Chinese Taipei team leader Shen Chi-Ping felt regret for the loss. he said,"It is a pity that Chuan Chih-Yuan didn't win with a 20-12 lead in the first set. If he caught that, I think the process of the following games could be changed."

But Shen was quick to point out that his team didn't lose confidence from the defeat.

"I think we played a wonderful game tonight, although we wasted some key points. We have chances but we didn't catch them." added Shen.

Chinese men's team coach Lu Xianzhao admitted that China now didn't have much advantage over Chinese Taipei except strong nerves.

"Today's match showed we are on the same standard with the Chinese Taipei in spite of the win," said Lu.

In the women's team final earlier this evening, the Chinese team, led by world number three Zhang Yining, dethroned South Korea 3-1 for the title, the first ever in Universiade table tennis tournament.