World TT: Holder Zhang to face Wang in all-Chinese final

File Photo: Zhang Jike of China.

Paris, May 20 (IANS) In a rematch of last year’s Olympic final, defending champion Zhang Jike will fight for the men’s singles title against Wang Hao at the World Table Tennis Championships here Monday.

Zhang, the fourth seed, crushed top seed and teammate Xu Xin 11-8, 11-2, 11-9, 12-10 while Wang beat second seed Ma Long in the other all-Chinese semifinal 11-9, 11-7, 11-3, 7-11, 12-14, 11-3 Sunday night, Xinhua reports.

Zhang outplayed Wang to win the gold medal in last year’s London Olympics.

The women’s doubles title was also secured by Chinese players.

Li Xiaoxia, who just won the women’s singles title, paired with Guo Yue to beat Feng Tianwei and Yu Mengyu from Singapore 10-12, 11-7, 11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 11-8.

Li and Guo will take on Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen, who defeated another Chinese duo Chen Meng/Zhu Yuling, 11-8, 11-6, 5-11, 10-12, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9.