Olympics: Singapore paddlers off to a good start

Thursday, 14 August 2008

SINGAPORE - Singapore is depending on its table-tennis players to deliver the country's first Olympic medal after 48 years.

The women paddlers got off to a good start in that quest in Beijing on Wednesday.

The Singapore team, ranked second in the world, took on the United States in their opening tie.

They did not disappoint. All the three paddlers, led by captain Li Jiawei, were in form and they triumphed over their opponents 3-0.

The Singapore players continued their winning ways when they beat Nigeria by a similar score later in the day.

Singapore will take on The Netherlands in their next Group B encounter on Thursday.

Li Jiawei said: "Our strength and skills are better than our opponents. But the ball is round, so we have to prepare for the worst."

The men's team also got off to a good start, beating Canada 3-0 in their opening match.

Results:

Women's team: Singapore beat US 3-0

Wang Yuegu (SIN) beat Gao Jun (US) 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-4.

Feng Tianwei (SIN) beat Wang Chen (US) 11-2, 8-11, 11-4, 15-13.

Wang Yuegu/Li Jiawei (SIN) beat Gao Jun/Huang Xi (US) 11-5, 11-9, 11-7

Men's team: Singapore beat Canada 3-0

Gao Ning (SIN) beat Zhang Peng (CAN) 13-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-9.

Yang Zi (SIN) beat Peter-Paul Pradeeban (CAN) 8-11, 11-4, 11-6, 8-11.

Cai Xiaoli/Yang Zi (SIN) beat Shen Qiang/Peter-Paul Pradeeban (CAN) 9-11, 11-7, 13-11, 11-5.

Women's team: Singapore beat Nigeria 3-0

Fang Tianwei (SIN) bt Kaffo Bose (NIG) 11-3, 11-4, 11-2

Li Jiawei (SIN) bt Offiong Cecilia Otu (NIG) 11-7, 11-7, 11-6

Wang Yuegu/Li Jiawei (SIN) bt Oshonaike Funke/Offiong Cecilia Otu (NIG) 13-15, 11-5, 11-5, 11-5.