Wang Liqin claims title at Swedish Open
( 2003-11-24 14:28) (Xinhua)
Despite a slow start, world number two player Wang Liqin of China beat his
younger compatriot Chen Qi to win the men's singles title at the ITTF Pro Tour
Swedish Open table tennis tournament in Malmo, Sweden on Sunday.
China's Wang Liqin
appears in action during the men's table tennis single final during
Swedish Open Championships in Malmo, Sweden, Sunday, Nov. 23 2003. Wang
defeated countryman Chen Qi. [AP] | Wang's
victory completed the all-Chinese triumph in Malmo after Zhang Yining lifted the
trophy in women's sinlges, Ma Lin/Wang Hao in men's doubles and Guo Yue/Niu
Jianfeng in women's doubles.
The 19-year-old Chen had a high-flying start with a 2-0 lead before Wang woke
up and turned around the table for a 4-2 victory (5-11, 9-11, 11-3, 11-6, 12-10,
11-7).
It was Chen's second final appearance in the Pro Tour. He was the losing
finalist at the Korean Open in September.
Women's top player Zhang Yining continued her unbeaten streak by winning her
ninth title in 10 Pro Tour events since last autumn, beating Song Ah Sim from
Hong Kong, China 4-2 (11-4, 11-1, 11-7, 9- 11, 7-11, 11-4).
Song, who sent out the World Champion Wang Nan on her way to clash with
Zhang, reached her first Pro Tour singles final and earned a ticket to the Grand
Finals in Guangzhou, China, in mid December.
As the leading women's doubles players, Guo Yue and Niu Jianfeng took their
fourth Pro Tour title together this year after they held off Zhang Yining/Wang
Nan, top two elites in the singles rankings, for a narrow escape 4-3 (11-8,
7-11, 4-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-7).
World No. 1 Ma Lin already collected three Pro Tour doubles titles together
with Chen Qi, breezed past Chen Qi/Liu Guozheng with his new partner Wang Hao
for a 4-0 (11-5, 13-11, 11-7, 11-7) straight victory on
Sunday.
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