China

Wang Liqin on track for three medals at table tennis worlds

(AP)
Updated: 2007-05-25 09:02

Defending singles and mixed-doubles champion Wang Liqin remained on track for a medal in all of his three disciplines Thursday, continuing Chinese supremacy at the World Table Tennis Championships.

China's Wang Liqin returns a shot to player of Belgium at the World Table Tennis Championships.[Xinhua]

The topspin specialist defeated Liu Song of Argentina 11-7, 11-5, 11-3, 11-9 in his singles match to advance to the fourth round.

Earlier, the Chinese teamed with Wang Hao in the men's doubles to oust Selya Kishikawa and Jun Mizutani of Japan 11-5, 11-8, 11-8, 12-14, 6-11, 11-7, and Guo Yue in the mixed doubles to eliminate Oh Sang Eun and Kim Jung Hyum of South Korea 11-8, 11-6, 11-7, 11-10.

Top-seeded compatriot Ma Lin, who is seeking a showdown with Wang in the finals, also won his three matches. He defeated He Zhi Wen of Spain in the singles 11-8, 15-13, 11-9, 11-8, and partnered with Chen Qi in doubles to dispose of Lee Jung Woo and Oh Sang Eun of South Korea 11-5, 9-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6.

Ma Lin also advanced to the finals in the mixed doubles with Wang Nan, defeating Joo Se Hyuk and Park Mi Yuoung of South Korea 7-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-4, 10-12, 11-5.

Third-seeded Timo Boll of Germany, the top non-Chinese, overcame Ju Lin of the Dominican Republic, 11-7, 11-3, 4-11, 11-7, 11-7 to keep the European flag flying in the top 16.

However, Boll and countryman Christian Suss tumbled out of the doubles, going down to Chang Yen-Shu and Chang Peng-Lung of Chinese Tapei 11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9.

Defending her singles and doubles titles, top-seeded Zhang Yining of China advanced into the fourth round after Wenlin Tan Monfardini of Italy was forced to retire through injury.

Her veteran countrywoman Wang Nan, the No. 2 seed, also progressed to the next round, beating Rui Zhang of Hong Kong, 12-10, 11-5, 11-6, 15-13.

The two then teamed up to defeat Huang I-Hwa and Lu Yun-Feng of Chinese Taipei, 11-7, 11-8, 11-4, 5-11, 11-6, for a berth in the quarterfinals.