China completed a double at the World Table Tennis Team Cup Classic with both their men and women outplaying their rivals in the finals at Al Nasr Club on Friday.
The men’s team defeated South Korea 3-0 while the women beat Singapore also by a similar margin to send their fans who packed Rashid bin Hamdan Hall delirious with delight.
Ma Long, the world’s no.1 player, returned to his best form after suffering a shock defeat in his opening match in the quarter-finals to lead his team an emphatic victory.
After Hao Wang had set them on their by winning the opening singles against Young Sik Jung 3-0, Ma Long overcame Jung Woo Lee 3-1 to restore his confidence. After winning a tight opening set 11-9 Ma Long showed his fighting qualities to come back from 1-8 down before conceding the second set 7-11.
However, Ma Long did not let up in attack although being off target with some of his pile driver forehand returns. Lee was sound in defence saving a set point in the third set but found Ma Long too hot to handle despite saving three match points in the fourth set.
A fired up Ma Long was then thrown in by coach Liu Guoliang to partner Xu Xin in the doubles. The South Korean pair of Sang Eun Oh and Jung Woo Lee launched a well-cordinated attack the unsettle the Chinese pair in the opening set which they won easily 11-1 with Xu Xin being guilty of committing more unforced errors.
But the Chinese duo got their act together to win the next set 11-9 after being engaged in some long rallies. Ma Long and Xu Xin raised the tempo and hitting the corners with precision to prevail in the next two sets 11-6 11-6 to retain the title they won last year.
Earlier, Yue Guo gave a vintage performance as China avenged their loss to Singapore in Moscow at the World Team Championship in May with an emphatic 3-0 victory in the women’s final.
The 2007 world champion overcame a nervy start to rally from 6-1 down in the opening set to win her singles match against Yuegu Wang 3-0.
Wang was fresh from her success at the Women’s World Cup in Kuala Lumpur last week but Yue asserted her authority once she nosed ahead forcing her opponent into errors and pouncing on the slightest opening.
Yan Guo consolidated their lead after conceding the first set 10-12 in a close encounter against Tianwei Feng 3-1. Feng kept Singapore alive with some tenacious play and saved five match points.
But Yue returned to partner Xiaoxia Li to score an emphatic 3-0 victory in the doubles against Jiawei Li and Yuegu Wang to seal their triumph in style.
“We have the best doubles pair in the world,” said China women’s team coach Shi Zhihao who fielded a different team from the one which lost in Moscow.
“We started very young and come from the same city. We know each other well and both of us can reach each other’s mind,” said Yue whose deadly doubles partnership with Xiaoxia began in 2002.
Yue said she prepared in minute detail for every eventuality before the final with her coach.
“From the very beginning knew it was tough. I’m not only pleased with my singles but doubles performance as well,” said the 22 year-old who is enjoying her game.
“When I won world title I was only 19. I was actually catching up with the stronger ones. Three years later I’m more mature and others are viewing me as a target. Winning like this feels makes me feel I’m in the form I enjoyed in the past. I really love this kind of feeling,” added Yue.
“China showed their strength and forte really. In Moscow it was not a true reflection of their strength. The coach put two younger and relatively inexperienced players,” according to television commentator Dong Martin Wang.
Results
FINALS
MEN
China beat South Korea 3-0
Singles
Hao Wang beat Young Sik Jung 3-0 (11-4 11-8 11-5)
Ma Long beat Jung Woo Lee 3-1 (11-9 7-11 11-8 11-5)
Doubles
Xu Xin/Ma Long beat Sang Eun Oh/Jung Woo Lee 3-1 (1-11 11-9 11-6 11-6
WOMEN
China beat Singapore 3-0
Singles
Yue Guo beat Yuegu Wang 3-0 (11-8 11-7 11-9)
Yan Guo beat Tianwei Feng 3-1 (10-12 11-4 12-10 12-10)
Doubles
Xiaoxia Li/ Yue Guo v Jiawei Li/Yuegu Wang 11-2 11-2 11-9
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