Zhang Jike retains world title
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E-mail China.org.cn, May 20, 2013
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Zhang lifts the trophy after retaining men's singles title. |
Defending champion Zhang Jike of China retained his men's singles title at the World Table Tennis Championships in Paris on Monday after defeating compatriot Wang Hao in the final.
Fourth seed Zhang prevailed 11-7, 11-8, 6-11, 14-12, 5-11, 11-7 in a rematch of last year's Olympic final to secure a fourth major title in a row.
Zhang completed a career grand slam when he pipped Wang to the Olympic crown in London last August, adding to the world title he won two years ago in Rotterdam and the 2011 World Cup, with Wang also the losing finalist on both of those occasions.
Wang, the world champion in 2009 and a three-time Olympic singles silver medalist, trailed Zhang 2-0 but managed to make it 2-1 after the thirds set.
He pulled ahead in the fourth but Zhang, who plays shake-hand attacking top spin, held his nerve and won 14-12.
Wang, also a four-time World Cup winner, took the fifth set 11-5 and pulled it to two sets against three. But Zhang laughed to the last and grabbed the next 11-7 and a second world title.
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Wang Hao returns a shot to Zhang Jike in the final. |
Zhang threw his shirt to the crowd and ran up to the stand to celebrate the victory with his parents.
"Since I have already won a Grand Slam of Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cup, I did not feel nervous during the match. I just want to enjoy the match," Zhang said.
"I beat Wang Hao maybe because I am younger than him. But I don't think there is loser. Both of us were relaxed during the match."
He added, "My parents had always wanted to watch me play during major world compeititions, but I refused. This time I asked them to come here."
Wang said that he was not disappointed despite the loss.
"This is my last world championships," he said. "I just want to enjoy the match."
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