Fan Zhendong (L) of China reacts during the men's singles final between Wang Chuqin and Fan Zhendong of China at WTT Finals Men Doha 2023 table tennis tournament in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
DOHA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- China secured 1-2 finishes in both singles and doubles at the 2023 World Table Tennis (WTT) Men's Finals here on Friday.
Wang Chuqin defeated world No. 1 Fan Zhendong 11-8, 11-9, 14-12, 11-7 to be crowned the singles champion, while Yuan Licen and Xiang Peng beat Lin Gaoyuan and Lin Shidong 11-8, 11-2, 11-8 in the doubles final.
"I never thought I would win with such a score. Playing against brother Dong (Fan Zhendong), I had no burden at all and the pressure was all on his side. I approached the game with a mindset to challenge him," Wang said.
The singles and doubles semifinals took place on the same day, and Wang Chuqin, who paired with Fan Zhendong to have lost to Lin Gaoyuan and Lin Shidong 11-8, 11-9, 12-10 in the semis, played three matches in a day.
He eased past Germany's Qiu Dang 4-0 in the singles semifinals after the latter ousted two Chinese paddlers, Li Shidong and Liang Jingkun, in a row. Fan won 4-0 over Lin Gaoyuan in the other semifinal.
Yuan and Xiang expressed their joy after winning the doubles title. "We are very happy. We didn't expect the match to go so smoothly, but we maintained our composure on the court." ■
Wang Chuqin (L) and Fan Zhendong of China compete during the men's singles final between Wang Chuqin and Fan Zhendong of China at WTT Finals Men Doha 2023 table tennis tournament in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Wang Chuqin (L) and Fan Zhendong of China compete during their men's singles final at WTT Finals Men Doha 2023 table tennis tournament in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 5, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Fan Zhendong of China competes during the men's singles final between Wang Chuqin and Fan Zhendong of China at WTT Finals Men Doha 2023 table tennis tournament in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Wang Chuqin of China competes during the men's singles final between Wang Chuqin and Fan Zhendong of China at WTT Finals Men Doha 2023 table tennis tournament in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Fan Zhendong of China reacts during the men's singles final between Wang Chuqin and Fan Zhendong of China at WTT Finals Men Doha 2023 table tennis tournament in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Wang Chuqin of China celebrates after winning the men's singles final between Wang Chuqin and Fan Zhendong of China at WTT Finals Men Doha 2023 table tennis tournament in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 5, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Wang Chuqin (L) and Fan Zhendong of China pose for photograph during the awarding ceremony after their men's singles final at WTT Finals Men Doha 2023 table tennis tournament in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Wang Chuqin of China celebrates during the awarding ceremony after the men's singles final between Wang Chuqin and Fan Zhendong of China at WTT Finals Men Doha 2023 table tennis tournament in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Yuan Licen (L)/Xiang Peng and Lin Gaoyuan (2nd R)/Lin Shidong of China pose for photograph during the awarding ceremony after their men's doubles final at WTT Finals Men Doha 2023 table tennis tournament in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Yuan Licen (L)/Xiang Peng of China celebrate during the awarding ceremony after the men's doubles final between Yuan Licen/Xiang Peng of China and Lin Gaoyuan/Lin Shidong of China at WTT Finals Men Doha 2023 table tennis tournament in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
