China too strong for Austria at table tennis worlds quarters Ma Lin of China returns the ball during the men's quarterfinal match agai...

China too strong for Austria at table tennis worlds quarters

Ma Lin of China returns the ball during the men's quarterfinal match against Robert Gardos of Austria at the 2012 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Dortmund, Germany, March 30, 2012. Chinese men's team won 3-0 and entered the semifinal. (Xinhua/Ma Ning)

Ma Long of China returns the ball during the men's quarterfinal match against Daniel Habesohn of Austria at the 2012 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Dortmund, Germany, March 30, 2012. Chinese men's team won 3-0 and entered the semifinal. (Xinhua/Ma Ning)

Zhang Jike of China returns the ball during the men's quarterfinal match against Chen Weixing of Austria at the 2012 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Dortmund, Germany, March 30, 2012. Chinese men's team won 3-0 and entered the semifinal. (Xinhua/Ma Ning)

DORTMUND, GERMANY, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese men had no difficulties in advancing to the semifinals of the World Team Table Tennis Championships in Dortmund on Friday.

The top seeds beat the No. 6 Austria of the world 3-0. Reigning world champion Zhang Jike defeated Chen Weixing 3-0 ( 11-8, 11-8, 12-10), Ma Lin lost one game against Robert Gardos (11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 11-7) and Ma Long went past Daniel Habesohn in straight sets (11-8, 11-4, 11-9).

"The Austria team is very familiar to us," Zhang Jike said. "We played well today and had an advantage. Besides that I felt that the atmosphere in the stadium is very different than the past days. This could be a help for hosts Germany, but we must think about the next opponent first, than the final."

The next opponent of China will be Chinese Taipei or South Korea. Japan and Germany will play for the other semifinal spot.