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China's women clinch 16th world table tennis title
2006-04-30
China's all-conquering women's team defeated Hong Kong 3-1 to clinch a 16th world team table tennis championship title. Defending champions China, who are unbeaten since 1991, were led in fine fashion by Olympic and world champion Zhang Yining and Wang Nan, the 2000 Olympic champion and 2004 world title winner, who didn't lose a match all week. Zhang got China off to a flying start, beating Lin Ling 3-0 (11-4, 11-9, 11-6) but Tie Yana pulled Hong Kong level beating Guo Yue 3-1 (11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 22-20). Wang Nan had to come from behind to restore their advantage with a 3-2 win against Lau Sui Fei (7-11, 12-14, 12-10, 11-8, 11-3) while Zhang brought the title home beating Tie Yana 3-0 (11-8, 11-3, 11-9). On Monday, the Chinese men's team will look to make it a double celebration for their country when they meet South Korea but they had to overcome a tough challenge from Germany in their semi-final on Sunday. In front of 13,500 fans, China lost their first rubber of the week when Ma Lin squandered a two-game lead to lose 3-2 to world number two Timo Boll (6-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-5). But the Chinese swept the next three games. The 2005 world champion Wang Liqin beat Christian Suss 3-0 (11-9, 12-10, 11-9), Wang Hao saw off Zoltan Fejer-Konnerth 3-0 (11-5, 11-2, 11-8) before Wang Liqin returned to defeat a stirring Boll challenge 3-2 (11-8, 11-13, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6). South Korea had a much easier time in their semi-final beating Hong Kong 3-0. Oh Sang-eun beat Cheung Yuk 3-0 (11-9, 11-9, 13-11), Ryu Seung-min prevailed over Li Ching 3-1 (11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 13-11) with Lee Jung-woo completing the win seeing off Ko Lai Chak 3-1 (6-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-5). If China win on Monday, it will be their 15th men's world team title. South Korea, who were third in 2004, have never won the championship.
China women battle hard at world table tennis (2008-02-25)China's sports system delivers, but at a cost (2008-01-02)China's women clinch 16th world table tennis title (2006-04-30)World No. 1 Zhang Yining left as sole Chinese in ProTour finals (2005-12-14)Olympic champion leads dominant Chinese squad into table tennis worlds (2005-04-29)
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