Ma Lin/Chen Qi beat world champions Wang Liqin/Yan Sen at China Open
( 2003-09-14 11:52) (Xinhua)
Chinese men's doubles Ma Lin
and Chen Qi kept their unbeaten run at the Pro Tour by winning a hard battle
over world champions Wang Liqin and Yan Sen in the semifinals of the China Open
table tennis championships in Fuzhou on Saturday.
Despite a slow start, Ma and Chen took the victory of a marathon second set
23-21, and edged their opponents 4-3 (8-11, 23- 21, 5-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-4,
11-9).
Ma and Chen, who began to pair up at the South Korean Open last week and
surprisingly won the title, proved formidable against long-time partners Wang
and Yan.
"It's very important that we won the second set which is the turning point
for us. Both of us are familiar with each other," said Ma after the match.
In the other semifinal, Kong Linghui and Wang Hao met no troubles to sweep
past Oh Sang Eun and Ryu Seung Min of South Korea 4-1 (11-5, 11-8, 11-8, 4-11,
11-6).
The men's doubles title will be decided on Sunday.
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