体坛英语新闻：Xue/Zhang make finals at Asian Beach Volleyball Championship

HAIKOU, South China, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's top players Xue Chen/Zhang Xi advanced to the finals at the Asian Beach Volleyball Championship held Saturday in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province.

Olympic bronze medal winners Xue Chen/Zhang Xi outpowered Phokongploy Yupa/Kulna Kampltip from Thailand 21-17, 21-16 in 38 minutes to make the finals.

"We made a normal performance except a few mistakes," said Xue. "We will try to avoid mistakes in the final match."

Zhang told Xinhua that all Asian teams played quite exquisitely, so the final match would be very tough. "We have to make full preparations for that."

Xue Chen/Zhang Xi will next meet Tatyana/Irina from Kazakstan in the finals on Sunday.

The 2010 championship slated for Oct. 21-24 draws 49 professional beach volleyball teams from 17 countries and regions in Asia-Pacific.