Pingpong friendly: China trounce world stars 5-0
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-12-15 10:03

In an inaugural team event World vs. China Table Tennis Challenge starting Tuesday in Changsha, Hunan province, China gave no chance to the World Stars United team for adominant 5-0.

Liu Guoliang, China's head coach, said: "We expected a closer results, like 3-2 or 2-3 to the World team. They did not play their best."

Ove-Jan Waldner of Sweden returns a ball from Kong Linghui during a commercial challenge between Chinese stars and stars from various countries Tuesday in Changsha, central China. [Xinhua]

In front of thousands local fans, Wang Hao, new sweet-heart from the hosts, made a good start by beating Vladimir Samsonov 3-1with his faster shots.

However, it was former Olympic champion Kong Linghui and all-time great Ove-Jan Waldner received the wildest ovation.

Waldner, 39, stunned a group of big names en route to entering the last four of men's singles at the Athens Olympic Games, including China's world number one player Ma Lin.

Waldner, who also eliminated Kong/Wang Hao in early round of the doubles in Athens, could hardly find his way to beat Kong, losing 0-3 (7-11, 6-11, 10-12).

Waldner said: "It's always difficult to play against Chinese players. Kong is my friend and 10 years younger. We played a good match for the spectators."

With a poor record against Ma Lin, Timo Boll had a sluggish start and a defeat 1-3 to the world top paddler.

Boll, who usually lost to Ma 1-4 or 2-4, had a good chance to beat Ma in the Pro Tour Finals two days ago in Beijing when he led 3-1 before Ma came back to finish 4-3.

Boll said: "I had a bad start today. But I was getting closer with Ma after recent matches. I can say I'm improved but I still need to find more tactics to beat him."

The newly-crowned Olympic doubles winner Chen Qi left no mercy to the reigning Olympic champion Ryu Seung Min for a 3-1 victory (11-7, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4).

Chen said: "I've heard that he was injured and had rest for at least 10 days. It was true because when we played, I could feel that on the court."

In the fifth game of the team event, Werner Schlager was overpowered by Wang Liqin 1-3.

Schlager became the one every one wants to beat after he won the World title in 2003. He said: "I knew that I have to be careful for each game and each rival after I won the world championships."

The team challenge continues on Wednesday as China will play against the World Stars United for another time while both team will meet the selected amateur players from China.

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