Olympics: Singapore reach women’s table tennis team semi—finals

LONDON: Singapore defeated North Korea 3—0 on Saturday to reach the women’s table tennis team semi—finals.

Singapore secured its first match through Wang Yuegu. She confidently beat North Korea’s Ri Myong Sun 11—7, 11—9, 5—11, 11—5.

In the second match, Singapore’s Olympic bronze medallist Feng Tianwei created a scare when she lost her first game 9—11 to North Korea’s Kim Jong.

However, a composed Feng recovered to snatch the next three games 11—4, 11—9, 11—4.

Singapore’s pair of Li Jiawei and Wang Yuegu sealed the third match by beating North Korea’s Ri Mi Gyong and Kim Jong 4—11, 11—7, 11—9, 11—8.

Singapore will meet Japan in the semi—finals on Sunday (1900 GMT).

Japan had earlier beat Germany 3—0 in the quarter—finals.

In other matches, China beat the Netherlands 3—0. China will play either Hong Kong or South Korea in the other semi—final match on Monday (1000 GMT).

In the men’s team event, Singapore beat Australia 3—0 to advance to the quarter—finals. Singapore will meet China on Sunday for a place in the semi—finals (1000 GMT).

Women’s team quarter—finals:

China 3 Netherlands 0

South Korea 3 Hong Kong 0

Singapore 3 North Korea 0

Japan 3 Germany 0

Men’s team first round results:

China 3 Russia 1

Australia 0 Singapore 3

Austria 3 Egypt 0

Sweden 1 Germany 3

Japan 3 Canada 0

Brazil 0 Hong Kong 3

Portugal 3 Britain 0

North Korea 1 South Korea 3

— CNA/de