Ma Lin Scores a Double at China Open

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, September 15, 2003

Ma Lin Scores a Double at China Open

Ma Lin emerged as the biggest winner at the China Open table tennis championships Sunday, adding a men's singles title to his easy doubles victory.

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Ma Lin Scores a Double at China Open

Ma Lin emerged as the biggest winner at the China Open table tennis championships Sunday, adding a men's singles title to his easy doubles victory.

Ma, also a doubles winner at the South Korean Open last week, continued his dream run in the singles at home. He beat young compatriot Wang Hao 11-8, 11-6, 12-14, 10-12, 11-7 and 11-5.

When tied at 3-3 in the sixth set, Ma called a time-out and asked to change his torn shoe. Lu Yuansheng, women's national head coach, who was sitting beside the court, gave his shoes to Ma.

Ma then sealed the game 11-5.

"I was in an embarrassing situation: I could not win the game in bare feet," said the world No 3 after the match.

"Fortunately, the referee gave me two minutes to change shoes and Lu's size is close to mine. I would have had to quit the final if I could not changed my shoes," Ma said.

Ranked No 8 in the world, Wang said the more experienced Ma had outsmarted him.

"Ma is good at the mental game. Though we are very familiar with each other's style, he controlled the game for most of the time," said Wang.

Earlier, Ma and his new partner Chen Qi claimed the doubles title after Kong Linghui and Wang Hao withdrew due to Kong's shoulder injury.

In the women's singles, world No 1 Zhang Yining lived up to her reputation when she took the women 's singles championship crown.

Zhang smashed her compatriot Guo Yan's dream of winning her second title in a row after the South Korean Open. She won 11-9, 11-4, 11-4, 6-11, 5-11, 10-12 and 11-9 in a dramatic final.

"I thought I was one step away from a clean sweep when I led 3-0, but I wasted many chances by simple mistakes. I won the championship but I'm not mentally strong enough," said Zhang.

In the women's doubles, Chinese table tennis veteran Li Ju tasted victory again in the Pro Tour as she claimed the title with her new partner Bai Yang.

Li/Bai upset their compatriots Guo Yan/Li Nan 4:3 (12-10, 8-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9) in the final.

Li, 27, who had quit table tennis for one year, returned to the national team in spring and entered quarter-finals in both singles and doubles at the World Championships.

The four-day China Open concluded on Sunday with all four trophies going to Chinese players.

Xinhua

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