Despite an unstable performance in serve receiving, the Chinese women's volleyball team overcame Chinese Taipei in straight sets on Monday at the Asian Volleyball Championships.

China, who are in trouble with fluctuating form, were defeated by Japan in a previous game, leaving a shadow on the team's campaign to win the 11th straight title in the continent's biggest volleyball tournament.

Ma Yunwen's outstanding blocks helped China take an early edge in the first game, a game in which their weakness in responding to serves gave their rivals many chances to pull off a rally. But Chinese Taipei, who were annoyed with unforced faults, missed all of them.

Chinese Taipai nearly caught up with China, reaching 10-9 in the second game. But vulnerability at the net eclipsed their surge, while the experienced China produced an upturn in attacks, racing out to a 25-17 win.

China eased to an 8-2 lead in the third game, when their rivals failed to pick up the pace. Xue Ming made it 25-13 with a fast break, which helped China wrap up the final victory.

China will play Australia on Tuesday.

(CRI September 11, 2007)