China’s talented trio of Ma Long, Xu Xin and Zhang Jike were able to win the Men’s title at the 2013 Times Property World Team Classic in Guangzhou on Sunday 31st of March 2013 after beating Chinese Taipei by three matches to one at the final hurdle.
With China being the favourites to take the gold in the tournament it was no surprise to see them standing tallest on the podium after the final. However the spotlight in the final was not to be on one of the Chinese finalists but on one of their opponents.
Chen Chien-An one of the Chinese Taipei finalists rose to a new level and caused the biggest upset of the tournament as he was able to overcome the fearless London 2012 Olympic Champion Zhang Jike in the second match of the contest in three games to two. Chen Chien-An put on an outstanding performance as he gained one of the most prestigious wins of his professional career beating the reigning World Champion.
On route to the final the ruthless Chinese National Team overcame Egypt and Singapore in the group stages both three matches to nil. In the quarter-final they were able to defeat Korea Republic three matches to nil.
The world leading Chinese men then met Japan in a closely fought semi-final where they were able to clinch three matches to one win with Kenta Matsudaira and Koki Niwa taking a surprise yet well-earned victory in the doubles against Wang Hao and Zhang Jike after being 10-5 down in the fifth set.
The overall results of the final were as follows, Xu Xin was able to dispose of Chuang Chih-Yuan 3-0 in the opening match (11-8, 11-2, 11-3), as mentioned previously Zhang Jike was then defeated by Chen Chien-An 3-2 (9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 7-11, 8-11). Ma Long and Xu Xin were next up to play the doubles as they had a 3-0 win against Chen Chien-An and Chiang Hung-Chien (12-10, 11-6, 11-6). Ma Long who was mainly on the bench for the Chinese team throughout the World Team Classic took on a vital role as he was able to defeat Chuang Chih-Yuan 3-0 (13-11,11-4,11-7) this win secured the Gold medal for China.
Well done to the Chinese Men’s team on their Gold medal win, it will be interesting to see if any of these finalists will clinch the Men’s singles title at the upcoming 2013 World Table Tennis Championships.
Highlights
For all the latest news, results and videos from the 2013 World Team Classic click here. To catch up on all the latest highlighted matches from the World Team Classic visit our Media Library.
Like and tweet our articles to the World. Lets spread the word of Table Tennis.
Source: ITTF
Photo: sports.sohu.com
Written by: Emily Standing
TableTennisDaily
With China being the favourites to take the gold in the tournament it was no surprise to see them standing tallest on the podium after the final. However the spotlight in the final was not to be on one of the Chinese finalists but on one of their opponents.
Chen Chien-An one of the Chinese Taipei finalists rose to a new level and caused the biggest upset of the tournament as he was able to overcome the fearless London 2012 Olympic Champion Zhang Jike in the second match of the contest in three games to two. Chen Chien-An put on an outstanding performance as he gained one of the most prestigious wins of his professional career beating the reigning World Champion.
On route to the final the ruthless Chinese National Team overcame Egypt and Singapore in the group stages both three matches to nil. In the quarter-final they were able to defeat Korea Republic three matches to nil.
The world leading Chinese men then met Japan in a closely fought semi-final where they were able to clinch three matches to one win with Kenta Matsudaira and Koki Niwa taking a surprise yet well-earned victory in the doubles against Wang Hao and Zhang Jike after being 10-5 down in the fifth set.
The overall results of the final were as follows, Xu Xin was able to dispose of Chuang Chih-Yuan 3-0 in the opening match (11-8, 11-2, 11-3), as mentioned previously Zhang Jike was then defeated by Chen Chien-An 3-2 (9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 7-11, 8-11). Ma Long and Xu Xin were next up to play the doubles as they had a 3-0 win against Chen Chien-An and Chiang Hung-Chien (12-10, 11-6, 11-6). Ma Long who was mainly on the bench for the Chinese team throughout the World Team Classic took on a vital role as he was able to defeat Chuang Chih-Yuan 3-0 (13-11,11-4,11-7) this win secured the Gold medal for China.
Well done to the Chinese Men’s team on their Gold medal win, it will be interesting to see if any of these finalists will clinch the Men’s singles title at the upcoming 2013 World Table Tennis Championships.
Highlights
For all the latest news, results and videos from the 2013 World Team Classic click here. To catch up on all the latest highlighted matches from the World Team Classic visit our Media Library.
Like and tweet our articles to the World. Lets spread the word of Table Tennis.
Source: ITTF
Photo: sports.sohu.com
Written by: Emily Standing
TableTennisDaily
