SHANGHAI, May 4(Xinhuanet)-- Gao Jun of the United States smiled while Chinese young star Cao Zhen left the court crying badly.

In the women's singles fourth round, the 36-year-old Gao showed her elegance and patience to dipatch Cao 4-3(5-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-4, 9-11, 3-11, 11-7), earning a quarterfinal ticket at the world table tennis championships here on Wednesday.

"I didn't expect to beat Cao because she is young, fast and unknown to me. Any young Chinese player is tough," said the former Chinese national team member.

Gao admitted she dropped guard after 3-1 lead when Cao came back to tie it 3-3.

"I thought she would lose determination when I lead 3-1, but I was wrong. She changed tactics while I lost my focus in the following two games," Gao said.

"In the seventh game, I noticed that Cao became impatient and made more errors while I was still relaxed. I've experienced many big events but Cao has none. That's the difference," said Gao, who won the doubles world champion in Chiba, Japan in 1991.

Gao believed great pressure destroyed the 18-year-old Cao who has only competed in three ITTF Opens since 2003.

"She didn't show her real strength as she was under pressure from home audience, coaches and teammates. She should be a better player than me as I'm old and slow," Gao smiled.

Though Gao entered the last eight in Paris, she refused to predict her fortune in Shanghai.

"It's enough that I'm in the quarterfinals again. I keep the same level as two years ago. I just want to enjoy the competition and I have no target at all."

Gao will next play Lin Ling of Hong Kong who ousted Tamara Boros of Croatia 4-2(12-10, 11-7, 5-11, 11-7,8-11, 11-3).

"I've never beaten Lin before. I guess this time I will be the loser again. She will be my terminator," Gao laughed. Enditem