Zhang Jike, Ma Long set up all-Chinese final in Rio 2016 table tennis
Xinhua, August 11, 2016 Adjust font size:
Table tennis Grand Slam winner Zhang Jike is just one step away from defending his Olympic men's singles gold medal after smashing Vladimir Samsonov 4-1 here on Thursday to set up an all-Chinese final with Ma Long.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, world No. 1 Ma overcame a late stumble to beat sixth-ranked Japanese Jun Mizutani 4-2 in the other semi clash.
Zhang, 28, triumphed 11-9, 13-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-9.
A faster and heavier hitter than the 40-year-old veteran of Belarus, the second-seeded Zhang won almost all forehand rallies except an edge ball from Samsonov in the third set while the former leading 7-6.
After granting the fourth set 11-6, Zhang hesitated no more and led 5-1 in the decisive fifth before he forced his six times Olympian opponent to return it wide to win 11-9. Endit