Zhou, Zhu triumph in WTT Star Contender Doha

DOHA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's Zhou Qihao and Zhu Yuling of Macao, China won the men's and women's singles titles at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Star Contender Doha on Sunday.

The men's singles final was an all-Chinese matchup between 29-year-old Zhou and 19-year-old Wen Ruibo, who beat German veteran Dimitrij Ovtcharov and second seed Hugo Calderano of Brazil in the semifinals.

Despite early exits for Chinese favorites Lin Shidong and Liang Jingkun, China still finished 1-2 in the men's singles. Zhou won the six-game final 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7, 5-11, 11-8.

"The championship was a recognition for me. It was a difficult match against Wen. I adjusted my technical skills in recent training, which was proved effective in high-level competitions," Zhou said after the final.

Zhu claimed back-to-back titles in Doha after winning the women's singles at the WTT Champions Doha earlier this month. The 31-year-old rallied past Japan's Hitomi Sato 5-11, 11-13, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6, 11-5 in the final.

"To start the new year with two WTT titles gave me more confidence. I successfully handled the pressure and difficulties during the games," Zhu said. "I'm also telling myself that I'm actually far stronger than I expected. I won't set a limit in all aspects of my life."

In men's doubles, South Korea's Jang Woo-jin and Cho Dae-seong beat China's Wen and Huang Youzheng 5-11, 11-8, 11-6, 5-11, 11-9 to take the title.

In an all-Japanese women's doubles final, Sakura Yokoi and Satsuki Odo beat Hitomi Sato and Saki Shibata 12-10, 11-4, 11-9.

In mixed doubles, second seeds Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem beat South Korea's Park Gang-hyeon and Kim Na-yeong 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-5. Enditem