September 21, 2007	Friday	Ramazan 08, 1428

BEIJING, Sept 20: Pakistan lost their mixed double and men’s single matches at the 18th Asian table tennis championships being held at the Sports Park Stadium in Yangzhou on Thursday.

Pakistan is participating in the mixed-double and single events that began on Thursday after the conclusion of team events.

In mixed doubles, Saadia Falak Sher and Asim Qureshi lost to the Japanese pair of Oya and Taseivv, 11-9, 11-9, 11-8, and in the evening, Thailand’s number one Sanguansin Phakpoom, after conceding two game defeats, came from behind to beat Asim Qureshi 11-7, 11-9 and 11-8 in the remaining three games of the men’s individual competition. Asim Qureshi won the first two games 11-4, 11-8.

“Still this competition was a chance for the Pakistani players to show-off their talent. If provided with regular opportunities to participate in international events, they can further work on improving their skills,” said Pakistani team coach Syed Nadeem Mansoor.

In women’s individual competitions, Saadia Falak Sher will meet Japan’s Kim Kyungah on Sept 22.

Meanwhile, China beat Japan to win the men’s team title. The Chinese trio of Wang Hao, Ma Long and Chen Qi edged out their rivals by three matches to nil, putting an end to Japan’s surprise ascent.

Wang Hao of China beat Kaii Yoshida of Japan, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 7-11, 11-6.

Ma Long of China beat Jun Mizutani of Japan, 11-9, 14-12, 11-8 and Chen Qi of China beat Kenta Matsudaira of Japan, 11-7, 11-3, 11-9.

Earlier, on Wednesday, the Chinese women’s team edged out Singapore 3-0 to grab the title which they missed last time at the biennial Asian table tennis championships.—Agencies