Zhejiang, one of the two bottom teams of the table tennis China Super League, has trounced third-ranked Shandong at home.

 

The postponed tenth-round match was held Wednesday night in Zhejiang as the hosts successfully escaped the relegation zone.

 

Zhejiang's Li Ping jumped to a good start, beating World number three Wang Hao in straight sets: 11-9, 11-3 and 11-9.

 

World number two Tim Boll took the second singles rubber to give Zhejiang a comfortable 2-0 lead.

 

Zhejiang then wound up the competitions with another victory in the doubles match to clean sweep the visiting Shandong.

 

The win has dragged Zhejiang out of the relegation zone for the time being, as they had furthered their gap with the bottom Sichuan.

 

Meanwhile, Shandong's champions dream had been shattered. The loss has further distanced themselves and the leading clubs. They are now standing third at the League's rankings with nine wins and five losses.

 

(CRI August 10, 2006)