China underlined their dominance of table tennis by sweeping all four
titles at the ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals on Sunday.
But what counts more this time is all four titles were decided in four
all-Chinese finals at the sell-out Beijing University Stadium Sunday
night.
Wang Liqin was the winner in men's singles as runner-up Ma Lin paired
with Chen Qi to taste victory in the men's doubles. Teenager Guo Yue was
crowned the women's single while the doubles title belonged to Wang Nan
and Zhang Yining.
World No 3 Wang Liqin started quickly and grasped the first three games
without any trouble. Ma then rallied to take one game back but failed to
deal with Wang's successive attacking and high speed before losing to Wang
with a crushing 4-1.
"I played very well today," said Wang at a post-match news conference.
"I just started my systematic
training two weeks ago, and I am so happy to see myself
playing at such good form."
Liu Guoliang, the head coach of the men's team, was full of praise
for his players. "Their performance reflected our training level here at
the tournament. Wang shows he is now at an ideal condition. Ma has also
contributed a lot as he marched into the final alone from the second half
part of the draw," said a satisfied Liu.
In a semi-final three hours before the final, Ma knocked out the only
non-Chinese semi-finalist Timo Boll of Germany as he edged past the
sizzling Boll in a seven-game
thriller.
Ma had to play three matches a day but he finished with a title - in
the men's doubles, Ma and teammate Chen Qi, the Athens Olympic champions
as well as the defending champions, were crowned again as they outclassed
compatriots Kong Linghui and Wang Hao with another thrilling 4-3.
Teenage sensation Guo emerged as the champion of women's singles,
dethroning her struggling teammate Niu Jianfeng 4-2. "I am so glad. The
victory will be a boost for my confidence and I am sure I will be doing
better and better," Guo said.
In-form Guo showed impressive performances at this event as she beat
world No 8 Li Jia Wei of Singapore and then world No 10 Lau Sui Fei of
Hong Kong before a surprising win against world and Olympic champion Wang
Nan in the semi-final earlier on Sunday.
But the former world No 1 player got some comfort from the doubles as
she paired with Athens Olympic champion Zhang Yining to beat Guo and Niu
4-1 to win the title in a repeat of the Athens Olympic semi-final.
(China Daily)
Updated: 2004-12-13 09:05
