Beijing, China, August 13, 2008 --Top seed China's Tian Jia/Wang Jie finished first in women's Group A on Wednesday by scoring their third preliminary win at the Beijing Olympic Games,.

Tian/Wang won 2-1 over Norwegian pair Kathrine Maaseide/Susanne Glesnes, which had booked a berth in top 16 as they had two victories.The win was not comfortable for the Chinese, who had to come from behind after the loss of the first set (17-21). They outscored the rivals in the next two sets (21-14, 15-8).

"We didn't play well. We tried to take as many points as possible when we were in a difficult position. We kept our will strong and kept fighting," said the 1.89-meter Wang after the match.

Seeded 10th in the women’s 24-team field, Natalie Cook, Sydney Games gold medalist, and Tasmin Barnett won their third-straight Pool C match by upsetting third-seeded Ana Paula Connelly and Larissa Franca of Brazil 23-21 and 23-21 in 51 minutes. Ana Paula/Larissa finished second in Group C as the combination of claimed three victories in the group.

In Group E, Fifth seed U.S. pair Nicole Branagh/Elaine Youngs claimed the first place after winning for the third time on Wednesday, followed by Stephanie Pohl/Okka Rau of Germany, who have had two wins. Branagh/Youngs outclassed Cuban pair Milagros Crespo/Imara Esteves Ribalta on Wednesday. Branagh and Youngs scored a 21-19, 13-21 and 15-12 victory in 57 minutes over Milagros Crespo and Imara Esteves Ribalta to avenge an earlier defeat to the Cubans this season in Barcelona.

Six (6) more group matches will be staged Thursday along with two “Lucky Loser’ confrontations to set the field for the 16-team single-elimination bracket to be played Friday and Saturday at the Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground. The women’s quarter-finals will be held Sunday followed by the semi-finals Tuesday and the medal matches August 21.