Zhang, Wang in final as Li wins women's gold
PARIS, France: Reigning champion Zhang Jike of China moved to within one victory of retaining his title at the World Table Tennis Championships in Paris on Sunday with a ruthless dismissal of...
May 20, 2013
Seeded fourth in the French capital after an inconsistent season, Zhang
banished any such concerns about his form to whitewash top-ranked Xu 11-8, 11-2, 11-9, 12-10 and secure his place in Monday's final.
Zhang didn't participate at last year's World Cup held in Liverpool which saw Ma Long take top honours.
Monday's showpiece will be a rematch of the London Olympics title decider as third seed Wang Hao, who was forced to settle for a third straight Games silver last August, brushed aside second-ranked Ma 11-9, 11-7, 11-3, 7-11, 12-14, 11-3 in the second all-Chinese semi-final.
Earlier, China's Li Xiaoxia claimed her maiden world championship title to complete a career grand slam after defeating compatriot Liu Shiwen in an enthralling final.
Runner-up to Ding Ning in 2011 and four years earlier to Guo Yue, Li went one step further in the French capital with an 11-8, 4-11, 11-7, 12-10, 6-11, 13-11 victory at the Bercy Arena.
Liu appeared set to extend the match to a deciding game after saving two match points in the sixth game but Li would not be deterred, clinching the title at the third time of asking as Liu fired long.
The triumph saw Li achieve a table tennis grand slam with the world
championship crown adding to the World Cup she won in 2008 and the Olympic title she picked up last August in London.
Bronze medals were awarded to losing semi-finalists Ding and teenager Zhu Yuling. (AFP)
