On the men's side, host China, consisting of Gong Maoxin and Li Zhe, top eight of China Open doubles, as well as Wu Di and Zhang Zhe, was thumped by Japan in the doubles and one of the two singles.

The tough competitions, which lasted over three hours, drew an ecstatic capacity of crowds from China and Japan.

The two teams entered the decisive men's doubles after levelling 1-1 following the two singles.

The Chinese pair never fell far behind Japan's Matsui Toshihide and Suzuki Takao, and split 6-7, 7-6 in the first two sets. In the final set, however, the Chinese failed to overturn after losing all of the five serves, crushed by rivals at 2-6.

Top seed Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Uzbekistan also breezed into Monday's men's team semi.

Lu Yen Hsun, top favourite of Chinese Taipei and highest-ranked man in Asia, beat his Philippine rival Mamiit Cecil 6-2, 7-6 in 106 minutes.

"I am glad that we can at least get a medal," said the 26-year-old, ranked 82nd in the world. "I suffered from a waist injury and I have not fully recovered yet."

"What I did was to try my best, and I will continue to do that tomorrow," he added.

Monday will see the semifinals of men's team and women's team.

The tennis events of Guangzhou Asian Games are scheduled from Nov. 13-23, with athletes competing for seven gold medals of men's and women's singles, doubles, teams and mix doubles.

(Xinhua News Agency November 15, 2010)