Sweden, five-time team champions between 1973 and 2000, failed to reach the last eight. The all-time table tennis great Waldner retired at 41 in 2006, in a blow to Sweden's hopes in international competitions.

Wang Prevails

China's sports authorities said Sunday that the country's veterans Wang Nan and Wang Liqin, both nearly 30, would take part in the Asian Olympic qualification tournament in Hong Kong later this month.

A group of coaches made the decision after "cautious consideration and careful research" of the two's performance and experience in major international matches in the past year, said Liu Fengyan, a General Administration of Sport official that oversees table tennis and badminton competitions.

Usually players finishing in the top seven places in the tournament will secure their Olympics tickets.

Wang Nan, the most decorated paddler with 20 world titles, displayed unusual sangfroid in Guangzhou though she was under pressure competing with teammate Li Xiaoxia for China's only remaining berth at the Beijing Olympics.

World number one Zhang Yining, singles winner at Athens, and reigning world champion Guo Yue have automatically qualified for the Games.