Chinese paddlers make men's, women's team events quarterfinals at Olympics
Earlier on Sunday afternoon, the Chinese women's team also made short work of their first round opponents Austria 3-0, as Wang Manyu, China's P-card holder who stepped in to replace injured Liu Shiwen, won two games.
"I'm a little bit nervous, but more excited to make my Olympic debut," said Wang Manyu. "I have been prepared for this even before I was informed I would replace Liu, who's a great player and made every effort she could to come back to play."
"It's a pity for her to have to withdraw, and I will carry her flag and fight effortlessly for my team and my country," added the 22-year-old.
Both her teammates Chen Meng and Sun Yingsha praised Wang's first match performance, but Li Sun, head coach of the Chinese women's team, said that his job is to keep his players grounded.
"It's not always a good thing to be excited at court," said the coach, who previously guided Wang Nan, Zhang Yining and Li Xiaoxia to a Grand Slam win.
The Chinese women will continue their title-defending campaign with a quarterfinal against either France or Singapore, whose round of 16 match is on Monday morning.
China's male paddlers will play French players in the quarterfinals after the latter beat China's Hong Kong 3-0 on Sunday afternoon.
In other plays of team events, all leading seeds advanced to the next round, as Brazil set up a quarterfinal matchup against South Korea, and Chinese Taipei play Germany in the men's draw.
The Hong Kong women's team will face Romania, and Chinese Taipei play Japan, with Germany also through.
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