Fired-up Liu wins second gold in table tennis worlds

BUDAPEST - Liu Shiwen gave fellow Chinese Chen Meng an 11-0 beating en route to winning the women's singles title at the World Table Tennis Championships here on Saturday.

An all fired-up Liu, who didn't concede a point in one set of her semifinal against more heralded teammate Ding Ning, beat the 25-year-old Chen 9-11, 11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 11-0, 11-9.

It was Liu's second gold in Budapest following her mixed doubles victory pairing up with Xu Xin on Friday.

"This is my sixth World Championships and third singles final," said the 28-year-old. "If I had lost this time, I might not have a second chance."

With a 2-2 tie, Liu used her speed and backhand attacks to unsettle Chen, who had been desperately looking for a point but it never came.

Earlier in the day, Chinese duo Ma Long and Wang Chuqin won the men's doubles gold medal, beating Romania's Ovidiu Ionescu and Spain's Alvaro Robles 4-1.

The Chinese had met some trouble in the second set before they had the match under control and won 11-3, 8-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-5.

Ma will battle against compatriot Liang Jingkun for a spot in the men's singles final Saturday afternoon.