Rising Chinese star Fan Zhengdong teamed up with Zhou Yu to beat a Japanese team for the men’s doubles final at the World Table Tennis Championships here on Saturday. Fan, however, feels no pressure that they will be playing against another Chinese pair in the final.
While Fan/Zhou whitewashed Japan’s Kenta Matsudaira and Koki Niwa 4—0 in the semifinals, home favourites and Chinese teammates Zhang Jike and Xu Xin took the other final berth after beating a South Korean team to set up an all-Chinese men’s doubles final, reports Xinhua.
“It will be an all-Chinese final and the pressure will be mounting on their side. We want to win so bad,” said Fan, who was in control throughout the semifinal, winning 11—6, 11—7, 11—6, 11—6.
Xu/Zhang defeated Lee Sang-su/Seo Hyun-deok from South Korea 9—11, 11—6, 11—9, 11—6, 4—11, 11—3.
“We prepared for the game well and came here to fight and the game went well. This is the first time I played the men’s doubles semis so was really excited. We studied their routine, where they usually place the ball. That way we can predict where they will place the ball and we were in position.”
Fan, the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympics champion, will also play against German veteran Timo Boll in the men’s singles quarterfinal.
“I know this day would come right after I saw the draw and I’m looking forward to playing against him. It’s a great opportunity to play against such a competitive player in the quarterfinal of the World Championships.”
Xu Xin on Saturday said he felt upbeat about the men’s doubles final as he and partner Zhang Jike will take on compatriots Fan/Zhou at the World Table Tennis Championships here.
“Overall we played well. We have experience and it’s not difficult to win,” said Xu.
Asked about the all-Chinese men’s doubles final, Xu said he and his partner Zhang would have an upper hand. “We are technically equal, but we have much more experience.”
Xu suffered an injury in his left shoulder two days ago but still fought hard in Friday’s mixed doubles final and won the title with South Korean Yang Hae-un. Xu admitted that the injury might still be a worry for future competitions.
“The shoulder injury indeed affected me during the matches and after the match it hurts even more.”
