European challenge snuffed out at the table tennis Worlds

China’s Liu Shiwen and Ma Long snuffed out the last of the European challenge yesterday to make the table tennis World Championships an all-Asian affair.

The 18-year-old Liu, who upset her compatriot and world No. 4 Guo Yan on Saturday, brushed aside Iveta Vacenovska of the Czech Republic 9-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-5, 17-15 in the women’s singles quarter-finals.

“It’s the same for everybody that she wants to win. I’m also eager to win. I’ve lost so many matches before and those losses made me stronger,” Liu said.

The 20-year-old Ma, who won the Grand Finals in December last year, powered his way through to a 12-10, 13-11, 11-7, 11-9 victory over Michael Maze of Denmark in the men’s singles quarter-finals.

“It was a tough match. My opponent played aggressively, which forced me to play defensively,” Ma said. “I wanted to play more offensively from the start.”

Mighty China also booked semi-final places through men’s world No. 1 Wang Hao and 2007 women’s world silver medalist Li Xiaoxia.

Wang set up a semi-final meeting against Ma Long when he whipped Kaii Yoshida of Japan 11-9, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3, 11-4.

“He [Yoshida] knows my play style very well, so I tried to read the course of his shots. When your opponent knows your game very well, it’s difficult to cope with,” Wang said.

Li was an 11-9, 11-4, 2-11, 11-9, 11-6 winner over Dang Ye-seo of South Korea.

“It was tough in the first two games, but I finally got into my rhythm in the fourth game. I’m satisfied with my performance today. I just want to keep playing my normal game,” Li said.

Earlier in the day, China took the mixed doubles title for a 10th straight time and 17th overall when Li Ping and Cao Zhen defeated Zhang Jike and Mu Zi 11-6, 4-11, 11-7, 9-11, 13-11, 11-8 in an all-Chinese final.

“It was a difficult match. We didn’t know whether we would be able to become the world champions until the end. It was important to believe in each other and never give up,” Cao said, teaming up with Li Ping for the first time.

“It’s exciting to become the world champions. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the singles, doubles or mixed doubles. I’m quite happy with the results,” Li Ping said.