All of China's traditional table tennis powerhouses have triumphed in the second round of the China Super League.

In the women's league, Hebei, Liaoning and Jiangsu, who suffered unexpected blows in their season debut last week, all recorded wins at Wednesday's competition.

Hebei had a fierce fight against visiting Henan, but finally managed to whitewash their opponents in a 3-0 victory.

Liaoning also crushed the Beijing University team 3-0 after Wang Nan, the former world number one paddler, overcame a slow start to win both her singles and doubles matches.

Meanwhile, Jiangsu and Guangdong clashed, each hoping to secure their first win this season. In the end, Jiangsu took the upper hand, winning the series 3-0.

In the men's league, Shaanxi and Bayi, led respectively by China's ace players Ma Lin and Wang Liqin, kept their winning rhythm.

The defending champions Shaanxi met strong challenge from the Zhejiang club, spearheaded by Chiang Peng-lung from Chinese Taipei.

Chiang grabbed the first win for Zhejiang. 20-year-old Li Ping followed, putting on a brilliant show against national player Ma Lin in the second singles rubber. The two split the first four sets until Ma's greater experience carried him through the last and decisive fifth set to wind up the match.

Shaanxi was strong in the doubles, extending its lead in a fourth rubber to win the series 3-1.

World number one Wang Liqin overwhelmed his opponent in a clean sweep victory while his Bayi teammates also beat their challengers, leading the team to their second successive win this season over the Beijing club.

(CRI English May 25, 2006)