Wang Nan Shows Her Dominance in World Table Tennis

Home>>Sports

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, January 13, 2002

Wang Nan Shows Her Dominance in World Table Tennis

Chinese player Wang Nan again showed her dominance in table tennis Saturday, winning the women's title in the Pro Tour grand finals in Tianjin, China.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

2001 ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals Kicks off in Tianjin

Chinese player Wang Nan again showed her dominance in table tennis Saturday, winning the women's title in the Pro Tour grand finals in Tianjin, China.

The two-time world champion, in 1999 and 2001, and Sydney Olympics gold medal holder beat her training partner and compatriot Niu Jianfeng 11-6, 11-9, 9-11, 9-11, 11-3, 11-1.

Niu showed offensive skills that allowed her to take control of the third and fourth game, but could not resist the technical and mental steadiness of the more experienced Wang.

"Niu Jianfeng played some very nice balls, but she still lacks the ability to renew her way of playing during the match," said Lu Yuansheng, the vice-coach of the Chinese team.

"She needs some more experience in high level competitions," he added.

Niu was nonetheless satisfied with her performance. "I improved my play in the third and fourth game, but in the fifth, it became obvious that my level was still far away from Wang Nan's," she said.

"That game allowed me to learn a lot."

In the men's doubles final, the Korean pair Kim Taek Soo and Oh Sang Eun overcame Hong Kong's Cheung Yuk and Leung Chu Yan in a spectacular show.

The Koreans stunned the tournament Saturday by eliminating the Chinese favorites, Wang Liqin and Yan Sen.

First Day at ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals Sees Several Stars Knocked out