11th Annual Chinese National Games: fourth day

Guandong, sho was the runner-up at last years national games, moved into the finals today with a 3-0 victory over underdogs Hubei.   Liu Jian beat Chen Xi 21-12, 21-11  to start things off and then Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen beat Zhao Yunlei and Wang Xiaoli 21-18, 21-8.  "Compared with Yang and Zhang, we are so inexperienced." Zhao said after the match. Zhao's then added that their opponents were obviously affected by the wind and didn't get used to the court. "They even made some clear faults in cooperation."  In the pther sem-final match Jiangsu had a 3-2 win over Hunan.  This is the first time Jiangsu has reached the women's team finals in 12 years.  Lu Lan did all Chinagames-Chen Jinshe could to help out the cause in her victory over Shi Xiaoqian.  Jiangsu heah coach Zhang Hongbao said, "Of course, we are eying the champion.  If we can win one doubles match in the final and Lu Lan can play Xie Xingfang, we will stand a good chance of lifting the title."
 
Today the last berth for the men's team competition went to Jiangsu.  They had very little trouble with Guandong and won 3-0.   Li Yu  defeated Wang Zhengming in straight sets 21-14, 21-15.  "Though Wang is younger than me, I still tried to challenge him no matter physically or mentally," Li said afterwards.  In men's doubles Cai Yun and Xu Chen took on Fu Haifeng and Zhu Lihua.  The final score read: 21-19, 21-12.  Number four ranked player Jin Chen (at left) then secured the team victory with a 21-15, 21-15 win against Zhu Pengxiang.    "I had no pressure as we have won the first two matches," said Chen. "We might meet Fujian in the final. We have to make solid preparation for that as they are balanced both in singles and doubles."         
 

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