(Sports Focus) China sweeps World Cup team table tennis crowns
Xinhua, January 12, 2015 Adjust font size:
China swept the men's and women's titles at the Team Table Tennis World Cup here on Sunday.
The Chinese men beat surprise finalists Austria 3-0 to win their sixth straight men's trophy.
Chinese youngster Fan Zhendong beat Daniel Habesohn 3-0 and Olympic champion Zhang Jike defeated Robert Gardos in straight sets.
Zhang then paired up with Xu Xin in the doubles, beating Stefan Fegerl and Habesohn 3-0.
The Chinese men took home 50,000 U.S. dollars and Austria had 25,000 dollars as runners-up, the best ever result for the European country in the team World Cup.
The Chinese women whitewashed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 3-0 earlier in the day.
Zhu Yuling, Liu Shiwen and Ding Ning all won their games to secure China's seventh consecutive crown.
Liu beat Ri Mi Gyong 3-2 while Zhu defeated Ri Myong Sun 3-2. Ding combined with Liu to crush Ri Mi Gyong and Kim Hye Song 3-0 in straight sets.
"It was a tough match and our opponents played very well," said Ding.
Liu also said that DPR Korea was a tough opponent and she praised the city of Dubai for hosting a great World Cup.
Twelve women's teams and as many men's teams participated in the tournament. Endi