Australian progress came to halt at the quarter-final stage of the Women’s Team event at the Times Property World Team Classic in Guangzhou on the afternoon of Saturday 30^th March 2013.

They suffered a three-nil defeat at the hands of Hong Kong; the trio comprising Tie Yana, Jiang Huajun and Lee Ho Ching holding the aces in the pack.

Nevertheless, the outfit of Jian Fang Lay, Miao Miao and Zhenhua Dederko could leave China with heads held high.

Jens Lang, the National Coach, could be proud of his team’s efforts and so could the whole of Oceania.

Tie Yana and Zhenhua Dederko started proceedings.

Playing in a controlled manner, displaying her well-renowned exquisite balance and the most smooth backhand on planet earth, Tie Yana overcame Zhenhua Derdeko in three straight games (12-10, 11-5, 11-8) to give Hong Kong the perfect start.

Once Tie Yana had established a rhythm against the style of the Australian, medium length pimpled rubber on the backhand, reversed on the forehand, she assumed control.

Next into the arena came Jiang Huajun and Jian Fang Lay.

Patience was the key for Jiang Huajun; the pen-hold grip of the Australian who uses long pimpled rubber on one side of the racket and reversed rubber on the other, has caused many an adversary nightmares over the years.

A shrewd approach against the experienced Australian, a player who can frustrate an opponent, was needed; it was displayed by Jiang Huajun in the first two games where she maintained her self-discipline.

In the third game she made mistakes as Jian Fang Lay reduced the arrears to one games; Jang Huajun had to fight not only against her opponent but against herself.

Gradually in the fourth game she built a lead but it was hard work and there were nervous moments, a four games win was posted (11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 11-9). 

The win recorded by Jiang Huajun was hard fought and it was pivotal in the final outcome of the fixture; it released the pressure valve on Hong Kong shoulders.

Relaxed, Lee Ho Ching joined forces with Tie Yana in a doubles partnership of youth and experienced.

Never in danger Lee Ho Ching and Tie Yana combined to produce a most efficient performance; a straight games win was recorded against Miao Miao and Zhenhua Dederko (11-3, 11-7, 11-9).

Hong Kong had booked a place in the penultimate round.

 At the semi-final stage Hong Kong meets China.

Article by: ITTF - Ian Marshall