The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Guangzhou

A clinical China downed Hong Hong in the semi-final of the world team table tennis championships here Saturday, moving another step closer to retaining their crown.

China's supremacy was never in doubt, as the world's top three players quickly demolished Hong Kong 3-0 in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

Hong Kong's top ranked paddler Li Ching tried valiantly at 2-0 down to halt World Cup champion Ma Lin's charge in the opening tie.

Li, ranked 11 in the world, threw everything at Ma, but the world number two held his nerve and eventually clinched the third set 19-17.

World champion Wang Liqin downed his opponent, Hong Kong's rising star Tang Peng, before world number one Wang Hao swiftly wrapped up proceedings.

Despite the victory, Wang Liqin, the oldest member of his team at 29, said he was feeling the pressure at these worlds where he must perform as he campaigns to win over Chinese team officials for Olympic qualification.

"I'm concerned I won't play well enough and the coaches maybe won't choose me to play at the Beijing Olympics, so I have to concentrate hard on all of my games," the softly spoken Wang said after his straight-sets win.

In the finals, China will face either arch rivals South Korea or Japan who take to the tables later Saturday for their semi-final showdown.

China's equally formidable women, undefeated at these championships since 1993, take on Singapore in their final also later Saturday.

China, the giants of the sport, are using these worlds as the perfect warmup for the Beijing Games where they are aiming for total dominance.