World No. 1 paddler Wang Liqin lost twice Wednesday, but the Shanghai team survived with a 3-2 win over Zhejiang in the men's team event of the 10th Chinese National Games table tennis competition in Wuxi.

Wang, who won the bronze medal in the men's singles at the Athens Olympics, lost 3-1 to Chen Jian and 3-2 to Jin Enhua on thefirst and fourth outings respectively.

Veteran Ding Song saved the title-favorite Shanghai by identical 3-2 victories over Chen and Jin.

Olympic women's double bronze medalist Niu Jianfeng recovered from a lack-luster 0-3 start to grab her first win in the NationalGames, leading Hebei to a 3-1 win over Henan in the women's team event.

Niu, ranked fourth in the world, lost two games in the semifinals of team event in the Asian Championships last month when China failed to enter the finals for the first time in 15 years after a 3-2 loss to South Korea.

The Hebei native did not find her rhythm on the opening day of the National Games. She lost twice on Tuesday when Hebei ousting unknown Inner Mongolia 3-2 in the first round.