Chinese teenagers storm into women's final

ZAGREB, May 26 (Reuters) Chinese teenagers Guo Yue and Li Xiaoxia advanced to the women's singles final at the world table tennis championship today with upset victories over higher-ranked compatriots.

Guo Yue brushed aside defending champion and top seed Zhang Yining in straight sets, while 19-year-old Li Xiaoxia stormed past Guo Yan 11-7 5-11 11-5 11-5 11-5 to set up a showdown against her 18-year-old rival later in the day.

World number four Guo Yue unsettled Zhang from the start with a series of stunning serves and piercing forehands that forced her opponent away from the table.

There was a glimmer of hope for Zhang in a tight third set, but Guo Yue used her nimble footwork to stay in control and take the match 11-8 11-7 11-9 11-4.

Li Xiaoxia took charge of her match midway through the third set when she scored six points in a row to take a 2-1 lead before finishing off the contest in emphatic style.

World number three Guo Yan appeared unsettled after being sanctioned three times for an illegal serve and was also unable to find an answer to her opponent's backhand.

REUTERS BJR KN1549