Source: Xinhua
05-05-2009 09:02
YOKOHAMA, Japan, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Wang Liqin has moved closer to his fourth or third straight men's singles crown after beating compatriot Ma Lin in an epic fight at the world table tennis championships here on Monday.
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| China's Wang Liqin celebrates during the men's singles semifinal against his compatriot Ma Lin at the World Table Tennis Championships in Yokohama, Japan, on May 4, 2009. Wang won 4-3 (11-5,12-14,11-9,7-11,11-9,6-11,11-6) and advanced to the final. (Xinhua/Bi Mingming) |
The 31-year-old Wang, who had been struggling with his form before the Yokohama event, found superb form that took him to men's world singles gold in 2001, 2005 and 2007.
China has secured 18 medals out of 20 at stake in the world championships, letting go only two doubles bronzes.
Wang, who lost his Olympic semifinal to Ma last year, won the electrified rematch 11-5, 12-14, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6.
"Wang was tactically wiser than Ma," said Chinese coach Li Xiaodong. "He fired his shots at Ma's forehand to force his rival into rallies, in which Wang is better."
The topspin expert had the better start with an 8-3 lead, which was a lead he never relinquished.
