by sportswriters Cao Jianjie and Wang Zijiang
DOHA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha stormed into the mixed doubles final and then went their separate ways to dispose of their respective singles rivals at the World Table Tennis Championships on Friday.
Wang subdued Chinese Taipei's Lin Yun-Ju 4-0 to reach the men's singles last four, after he and Sun defeated South Korea's Lim Jong-hoon/Shin Yu-bin in straight sets to set up a gold medal clash against Japan's Maharu Yoshimura/Satsuki Odo.
Seeking his first world championship singles title, Wang won 12-10, 11-8, 11-8, 12-10 over 46 minutes on Friday night.
The left-handed Chinese unsettled Lin from the start with a series of stunning serves and piercing forehands that forced his opponent into rallies that mostly went in Wang's way.
Wang also used his step-around forehand effectively to curb Lin's attacking options and leveraged his southpaw angles to disrupt his opponent's rhythm.
"We were close in terms of techniques," said Wang. "I handled details and clutch points a bit better."
"Big events like this are tests of mentality and have a heavy toll on your mind," he added. "You can hardly keep cool-headed all the way. I just try to compose myself."
Wang will next play Sweden's Truls Moregard who rallied from two sets down to beat Japan's Shunsuke Togami 4-2.
Top-ranked Chinese Lin Shidong had his journey snapped by compatriot Liang Jingkun.
The 20-year-old, who had entered three events in Doha, suffered a seven-set defeat to the 28-year-old and fifth-ranked Liang.
Liang had been rooted for by a lively crowd throughout the contest, while Lin seemed to have few supporters.
"As a fan of Wang Chuqin, I also support Liang Jingkun," said a spectator who declined to be named.
Asked why she was not a fan of Lin, she replied: "He took the world No. 1 ranking away from Wang Chuqin."
Known for their energy and youth, Wang and his mixed doubles partner Sun Yingsha enjoy considerable support from Chinese fans.
Thousands of Chinese fans, mostly young women, landed on Doha to cheer on Chinese players.
Liang will now face World Cup champion and third seed Hugo Calderano of Brazil, who ousted An Jae-hyun of South Korea 4-1 over 49 minutes.
Sun, Wang Manyu and Chen Xingtong each beat Japanese opponents in the women's singles, with Mima Ito pulling one match back for Japan.
The women's singles quarterfinals pitted China against Japan on four fronts, underlining the two countries as the runaway leaders in women's table tennis.
Top-ranked Sun came from one set down to defeat seventh seed Satsuki Odo 4-1 over 47 minutes, while second seed Wang Manyu triumphed over fifth seed Miwa Harimoto 4-0.
"I am more concentrated than yesterday," said Sun. "I wasn't affected by the first set."
"Japanese are really close to Chinese in table tennis," said Chen after she defeated sixth-seeded Hina Hayata 4-0. "You don't have to be surprised about who beat whom."
Ito, seeded eighth, played a fast-attacking game against more heralded Wang Yidi, stunning the fourth seed 4-1 to set up a semifinal clash with Sun on Saturday.
"I have kept a close watch on her and she has consistently played well," said Sun. Enditem
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