Table Tennis: NZ sisters exit at the double

8.10am - By CHRIS BARCLAY

ATHENS - Li Chunli and Karen Li, New Zealand's Olympic table tennis sister act, exited the women's doubles at the fourth round stage tonight (this morning NZT), despite a valiant effort against a slick North Korean duo.

The New Zealanders, ranked 22nd in the event, twice fought back to level their match with No 8 seeds Kim Mi Hyang and Kim Hui Hyon, but were eventually outclassed four games to two in the best of seven contest before a sparse crowd -- containing a vocal New Zealand contingent -- at the Galatsi Olympic Hall.

The North Koreans, who had a bye into the fourth round, won through to tomorrow's quarterfinals 11-8, 11-13, 11-6, 11-13, 11-5, 11-4.

"They were a strong doubles pair but we played quite well and we had our chances to win," Li Chunli said.

The elder of the Chinese-born pair said they had difficulty deciphering the type of serves the North Koreans were employing as they were adept at disguising which side of the paddle -- rough or smooth -- they were using.

"We had a little bit of trouble. Smooth rubber or rough rubber? The spin was difficult but we had a chance to win. Before the game I thought it would be more difficult but they are good," said Li Chunli, who plays the Chinese world No 1 Zhang Yining in the singles draw third round tomorrow.

Li Chunli was also able to produce some bamboozling serves, notably a rare ace in the opening game although the New Zealanders could not register a point afterwards, losing the game 8-11.

They regrouped in the second, winning 13-11 after Li Chunli converted their third game point.

The North Koreans restored their lead with a smooth 11-6 margin before the sisters struck back again, overturning a 6-9 deficit to close out another 13-11 victory.

That effort marked the high point of the New Zealanders effort, as their opponents proceeded to rip through the decisive games.

Team manager Simeon Cairns said the sisters produced an impressive effort to twice fight back into contention.

"They fought very hard and they've had games in the past when they've come back.

"It was fantastic effort to beat the Australians and the German pair."

In the early session the sisters exacted revenge for their demise at Sydney 2000 by turning the table on their German conquerors in Australia, Nicole Struse and Elke Wosik.

The New Zealanders wrapped up the best of seven contest four games to one : 11-6, 11-7, 11-7, 10-12, 11-6 in just over 35 minutes.

Three games up in quick time, the New Zealanders had a stumble in the fourth, giving their opponents a six-point start before drawing level at 8-8.

A 4-0 clean sweep looked a certainty when they twice served at match point but Struse and Wosik fought back to give themselves a glimmer of hope with 12-10 win.

The fifth set also fluctuated before Li Chunli settled the encounter at 11-6 with an unreturnable forehand.

- NZPA