China will take on arch rivals South Korea for the world team table tennis championship title after the Asian powers won their semi-final showdowns yesterday.
China, undefeated champions since 2000, easily downed Hong Kong in their semi but South Korea faced a ferocious challenge from underdogs Japan, whose young charges refused to lie down.
Today's final will be a repeat of the last world championships two years ago, with South Korea relishing the chance to seek revenge against China.
PHOTO: EPA
Olympic champion Ryu Seung-min said South Korea fancied their chances against China, as their star-studded team was under pressure to perform.
"We have our reasons for thinking we can beat China. South Korea are strong enough for one and the Chinese players are nervous and pressed psychologically to do well here," he said.
Ryu easily accounted for Kaii Yoshida in straight sets yesterday. But South Korea's Lee Jung-woo fought a five-set thriller with Jun Mizutani. They wowed the crowd with their cross-court rallies before Lee edged out the 18-year-old.
Kan Yo pulled one back for Japan, also in a nail-biting five sets, before Ryu returned to the table to fight off Mizutani and clinch the match.
China's supremacy was never in doubt against Hong Kong, the world's top three players quickly demolishing their opponents in front of an adoring home crowd.
Hong Kong's top-ranked paddler Li Ching tried valiantly at 2-0 down to halt World Cup champion Ma Lin's charge in the opening tie.
Li threw everything at Ma, but the world No. 2 held his nerve and eventually clinched the third set 19-17.
World champion Wang Liqin then downed Hong Kong's rising star Tang Peng, before world No. 1 Wang Hao swiftly wrapped up proceedings.
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