China secures clean sweep in Shanghai
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-06 22:01

SHANGHAI- China guaranteed a clean sweep at the world table tennis championships as the last of its challengers were snuffed out, reaffirming the host nation's status as the sport's most powerful force.

Wang Nan (L) and Zhang Yining of China celebrate after winning the women's doubles final against Guo Yue and Niu Jianfeng of China at the 48th World Table Tennis Championship in Shanghai, China May 6, 2005. Zhang and Wang won the match by 4-1. [Retuters]

With three titles already secure, Wang Liqin and Ma Lin set up an all-China men's singles final to be played later while Wang Nan and partner Zhang Yining will play teammates Guo Yue and Niu Jiangeng in the women's doubles.

China's red army arrived in Shanghai with their reputation as the sport's superpower under threat after the men failed not only at the last world championships in Paris but again at the Athens Olympics.

Wang, the world No.1, showed no sign of the nervousness that led to jitters earlier in the tournament as he torpedoed the dream of South Korea's Oh Sang Eun, seeded 24, in five sets.

Ma took care of giant-killing Dane Michael Maze, ranked 19, sending him packing in straight sets.

In the doubles, Zhang Yining helped Wang Nan into her fourth consecutive world championship doubles final, as she seeks to match the 18 major titles won by the legendary Deng Yaping.

Wang and Zhang, the defending champions, sent Hong Kong's Tie Yana and Zhang Rui back over the border with a six set victory.

In the other semi-final, Guo Yue and Niu Jianfeng lived up to their No.2 ranking by easily dispatching the third-seeded pair of Bai Yang and Guo Yan in straight sets.

China has already won the women's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles.

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Kong, Wang win men's doubles at 48th World Table Tennis Championship China wins table tennis mixed doubles World Table Tennis Championship kicked off

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