PATTAYA, THAILAND - The national women's table tennis team were beaten 1-3 by South Korea in the quarter-finals of the Asian Table Tennis Championships on Saturday.

The result means the Republic will not retain its bronze medal from the 2013 edition of the biennial event, the first time since 2007 that the women's team are returning from the tournament without a medal.

Singapore had won a silver in 2007, 2009 and 2012 (tournament was postponed from 2011).

South Korea's top-ranked player Seo Hyo Won, a defensive specialist, proved to be the biggest obstacle for Singapore.

In the best-of-five tie, Singapore had a rocky start when Yu Mengyu, the world No. 29, was beaten by Seo 11-6, 13-15, 11-13, 10-12.

Feng Tianwei, ranked No. 7, beat Yang Ha Eun 11-5, 9-11, 11-7, 12-14, 11-6 to level the score.

Yee Herng Hwee, ranked No. 447, stepped up to the plate but was easily beaten by Lee Zion 11-6, 11-7, 11-9.

Feng then lost the fourth match to Seo 10-12, 6-11, 11-7, 11-5, 8-11.

The championships will continue with the singles and doubles events.