Kiwi table tennis players emerge from cauldron victorious

By KEVIN NORQUAY in Delhi – NZPA

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Karen Li and Annie Yang stared down defeat and a raucous crowd to guide New Zealand to a 3-2 win over India in the Commonwealth Games women’s table tennis team event in Delhi.

Victory virtually assured New Zealand would finish top of their pool, yet for a time it seemed defeat would be their fate.

New Zealand trailed 1-2 with two singles remaining, but in the face of a patriotic crowd both Li and Yang carved out nail-biting 3-2 victories.

First Li beat Shamini Kumaresan to level the tie, then Yang overcame Madhurika Suhas Patkar and the crowd to seal the match for New Zealand.

Coach Li Chunli said the atmosphere was incredible.

“There was a lot of noise when we lost,” she said. “We now have a good chance to be No 1 in the group.”

New Zealand beat Ghana 3-0 in the morning, before returning to Yamuna Sports Complex to play India.

All three New Zealand women romped to straight set wins.

Annie Yang beat Akosua Ketu; Karen Li downed Beatrice Gyasi and Yang Sun dispatched Efua Owusu-Agyei.

Sri Lanka tomorrow stand in the way of New Zealand topping the pool, and they lost 0-3 to India today.

Manchester Commonwealth Games medallist Karen Li won all her matches on opening day.