The Hong Kong women's team on Thursday lost in the quarterfinals of the World Team Table Tennis Championships in Chengdu, squandering a 2-0 lead against Germany.

The SAR raced to the lead thanks to wins by Minnie Soo and Zhu Chengzhu in their singles matches. Soo beat Han Ying 3-1 and Zhu took care of Nina Mittelham by the same score.

But the Germans came roaring back, capturing the next three singles matches to turn defeat into victory.

After Shan Xiaona brushed aside Lee Ho-ching 3-1 and Han blanked Zhu 3-0, Mittelham beat Soo 3-1 in the decider.

The Hong Kong men's team have also advanced to the final eight where they will face South Korea on Friday.