The star-studded Chinese men's team eased past Austria to advance into the 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.

"The Chinese squad are really hard to beat, and they deserved to win," said Chen, adding that Austrian team had to prepare for the second stage competition and hoped to bag the bronze medal.

"I played better as the team matches went on and I didn't think too much about the result, which works," said Wang Liqin, adding that he began to enjoy the competition.

"Only when one enjoys the tournament like the Olympics, he can devote himself into the match and finally win it," Wang said.

"It is the best match we've played in group stage. Our players are showing a better form through the confrontations," said coach Liu Guoliang. He praised Wang Liqin for his steady performance in the evening.

China is to take on South Korea or Japan in the semifinals.

Coach Liu said South Korea was stronger than Japan.

Liu stressed that to claim the Olympic title, the Chinese team must be ready for all difficulties.

"We are not afraid of any challengers and the most important thing for us is to adjust ourselves well," said Liu.

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 Singapore 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 August 13 and lasts 11 days.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2008)