Ma wins men's singles at world championships

Source: AFP | May 4, 2015, Monday |

Online Edition

Top-seeded Ma Long of China beat teammate Fang Bo 4-2 in a close fought match to win the men's singles title at the world table tennis championships in Suzhou Sunday.

Ma, 26, trumped 14th-ranked Fang 11-7, 7-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-13, 11-4 to win the title for the first time.

World number one Ma had made it to the semifinals three times before -- in 2009, 2011 and 2013 -- but never the finals, though he was still the pre-tournament favourite.

Twenty-three year old Fang upset two time defending champion Zhang Jike, also from China, in the semis to reach the finals where he faced more experienced Ma.

Fang had a strong start and managed to take the second and fifth sets from the world number one.

The tense fifth set saw one of the longest rallies of the tournament finally go to Fang.

But Ma proved too good for his lower ranked teammate and regained control in the final set, going on to win the championship.

Zhang and fourth-ranked Fan Zhendong, from China as well, shared the third place.

Sports Table Tennis

About Us
|
Terms of Use
|
RSS
|
Privacy Policy
|
Contact Us
|
Shanghai Call Center: 962288
|
Tip-off hotline: 52920043

沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
|
互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
|
网络视听许可证：0909346
|
广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
|
增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012

Ma wins men's singles at world championships

Email this to your friend