The star-studded Chinese men's team eased past Austria to advance into table tennis team semifinals at the Beijing Olympic Games on Thursday.

The mighty trio of Wang Hao, Wang Liqin and Ma Lin eased past the European challengers 3-0.

Wang Hao met a little difficulty as he defeated 37th-ranked Chen Weixing 11-4, 9-11, 11-4, 11-5.

In face of the 2003 world champion Werner Schlager, veteran Wang Liqin displayed unusual sangfroid, blanketing the opponent 11-6, 11-4, 11-8.

Ma Lin/Wang Hao extended China's winning streak in the tiebreaker as they stormed over Robert Gardos/Chen Weixing 11-7, 5-11, 11-4, 11-9.

Earlier on Thursday, the Japanese beat the Hong Kong team to top Group D, and South Korea overcame Chinese Taipei to stay atop Group C. Germany also thrashed Canada 3-0 to clinch the last semifinal berth.

The men's team final will be held Monday and women's final on Sunday.

The table tennis tournament started in the 8,000-seat Peking University Gymnasium on Aug. 13 and will last 11 days.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2008)