(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-25 23:37

Zhang, also a "Grand Slam" winner who is ranked top on the latest world women's singles standings, met tough resistance from DPR Korea's top paddler fielded in the women's squad here, taking the long fought first set 16-14 and down the second 11-13 before wrapping up the following 11-7, 11-7 for a win.

Shi Zhihao, head coach of the Chinese women's team, refused to take the stumble of Wang Nan too seriously and said it could turn out to be a good thing rather than sorrow.

"DPR Korean players are well-trained and have a high morale," he said. "The fact that China suffered an impact is good for our players because it makes them understand that rivals have the ability to compete with us."

In the afternoon's third round match of the women's team Group A, China left out established Zhang and Wang when facing Croatia and enjoyed their lopsided match 3-0 as the Zagreb world championship's 1-2 finishers Guo Yue and Li Xiaoxia teamed with former World Cup title holder Guo Yan to whitewash the European underdogs.

Other surprise of the day came from the Hong Kong women's team, who made a superb comeback from two points down with Tie Yana, Jiang Huajun and Lin Ling to let down the Austrians led by former European champ Liu Jia, who earlier suffered another defeat by Germany on Monday.

The round robin first stage of both the men's and women's events will continue for another round on Tuesday before the last 12 teams emerge from each of the four groups on Wednesday evening for the women's and late on Thursday for the men's. Only the 24 teams of the first division earn their way to the top trophy.

   1 2   

   1 2