Chinese player Wang Linqin competes at the 49th World Team Table Tennis Championships in Guangzhou, Feb. 26, 2008. China beat Croatia 3-0.(Xinhua Photo)

    GUANGZHOU, China, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion China steamrolled over Croatia on day three of the world team table tennis championships after triple world title holder Wang Liqin's unexpected loss to untitled Romanian player in the previous day.

    China pitted Wang against Roko Tosic in the opening encounter, in which a determined Wang set the tune of the game and met little resistance from the European rival. Taking the game 11-1,11-6,11-7, veteran Wang demonstrated his mighty strength before a cheering home audience.

    Croatia's Andrej Gacina caused little trouble to world number two Ma Lin in the third set. But the Chinese pen hold offensive looper showed resilience to come back from one set down, winning 3-1.

    Buoyed by his compatriots' lead, Wang Hao wasted little time in edging out Borna Kovac 11-9, 11-3, 11-5.

    "I performed normally today after a well summing-up yesterday," said Wang Liqin, who still looked timid in front of crowded media cameras.

    Liu Guoliang, head coach of the Chinese men's team, said Ma Lin was irritable in the third set but managed to control his feeling in time. Liu also praised Wang Hao for his steady performance over the past three days.

    Speaking of Austria, which China is scheduled to play against Wednesday morning, Liu said Austria was the strongest rival in Group A and the battle would be hard for the Chinese.

    "The side who can adapt itself to the competition quickly will take the initiative," said Liu.

    Also on Tuesday, South Korea, led by 8th-ranked Ryu Seung Min, cruised over Sweden 3-0, building up a threat to title holder China.

    Hong Kong of China failed to hold on to its winning momentum and was finished off surprisingly by Denmark with Li Jing losing two points.

    In group C, Japan saw off Russia 3-0, Serbia downed Slovakia by the same margin and Germany crushed France 3-1.

    Twenty-four teams are vying in four groups in the championships division in the week-long tournament. The group winners will directly qualify for the quarter-finals, and the second and third placed teams will have to strive for the remaining spots in the last eight.

Chinese player Wang Hao competes at the 49th World Team Table Tennis Championships in Guangzhou, Feb. 26, 2008. China beat Croatia 3-0.(Xinhua Photo)

Chinese player Ma Lin competes at the 49th World Team Table Tennis Championships in Guangzhou, Feb. 26, 2008. China beat Croatia 3-0.(Xinhua Photo)