China's Ma Lin returns the ball during a quarter-final match with France at the 48th World Team Table Tennis Championships in Bremen, north Germany, April 29, 2006. China beat France 3-0.  (Xinhua Photo)

BREMEN, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese top man paddler Ma Lin encountered Saturday the first strong resistance from France's Patrick Chila, despite winning 3-2 at the table tennis world championships in Bremen.

    Ma played after Wang Liqin, holder of world and Olympic titles,who beat Damien Eloi 3-1.

    Ma lost the second and third games by 4-11 and 9-11, though he managed to raise his score from 3-8 down to 9-11 in the third game. He achieved a 11-7 victory in the first game.

    In the breath-taking fifth game, Ma raced away to a 7-3 lead but lost his upper-handed position as the Frenchman gradually caught up.

    Ma secured his victory 13-11 in the end, putting the Chinese team 2-0 over France. Enditem