Chinese paddlers swept all four titles of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Pro Tour Grand Finals yesterday at the 2008 Olympic venue, sending a strong warning to the world that they are very likely to dominate the sport again at the Beijing Games next year.
Ma Lin of China competes to win the title of the men's singles during the ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals in Peking University Gymnasium on Sunday, December 16, 2007. [Xinhua] |
After three days of competition, the host showed no mercy for the visitors, taking men's and women's singles and doubles crowns yesterday at the year-end tournament, one of the world's most prestigious table tennis events.
The women's final saw a rematch of this year's World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, where Li Xiaoxia lost the title to Guo Yue in a battle of China's emerging table tennis stars. But this time Li, the world No 4 learned her lesson and held her nerves while she was ahead. She outplayed Guo - the world No 3 - 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9 to win.
"I didn't think I could make it into the finals this time," Li said calmly after claiming the title.
"I was too anxious to win at the Worlds but now I know how to win a match. The most important thing is that I have full confidence with my own playing style and technique."
The Grand Finals title largely boosts Li's chances of representing China at the 2008 Games. She now ranks only after teammates Zhang Yining, Wang Nan and Guo Yue in the world.
"I don't think too much about it and now I just focus on my own things," Li said.
On the men's side, veteran Ma Lin defeated his doubles partner, world No 1 Wang Hao, to win the singles final 4-2.
World singles champion Wang Liqin made a comeback in form to win the men's doubles title with partner Chen Qi, beating compatriots Wang Hao/Ma Lin 4-1.
Despite losing to Wang Hao 4-1 in the singles semifinals, Wang Liqin was satisfied with his performance at the tournament.
"I did my best this time and my 2007 season was not bad," he said. In the past season, Wang has won little in singles events on the Pro Tour besides a World Championship title.
Ranked world No 3 after Wang Hao and Ma Lin, Wang Liqin may not automatically qualify for next year's Olympics.
"I accept the fact that I don't have an upper hand among top Chinese players, so I really need more practice to polish my new playing style and technique," Wang Liqin said.
"Now I need to just focus on my skills and try not to think about the rankings."
Women's doubles pair Kim Kyung-ah/Park Mi-young of South Korea remained the only foreign players on the final day, but lost to Chinese duo Guo Yue/Li Xiaoxia 4-2.
The event featured the top 16 singles and top 8 doubles based on the results of 17 Pro Tour stops throughout the year.
The 2007 International Table Tennis Invitational Tournament will follow tomorrow. It is a team competition organized as a test event for the Beijing Games.
Next year will be the first time in history team table tennis will be played. Men's and women's team events will replace the doubles competition.
