Wang Liqin (right), from Shanghai, and Guo Yue celebrate on the podium after winning the mixed doubles final at the 48th World Table Tennis Championships in Shanghai yesterday. Wang and Guo beat compatriots Liu Guozheng and Bai Yang 4-3.
(Photo: Shanghai Daily)

Shanghai Daily News

Local favorite Wang Liqin bagged the first gold at the 48th World Table Tennis Championship yesterday.

Wang gelled with teenager Guo Yue to take the mixed doubles title.

Before a sellout crowd of 12,000 at Shanghai Grand Stage, 27-year-old Wang, who is also the World No. 1 men's singles player, and 17-year Guo Yue, world No. 5 in women's singles, displayed their one-of-a-kind offensive style, dwarfing Liu Guozheng/Bai Yang 4-3 (11-4, 6-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-9, 7-11, 11-6).

Guo was born in northeastern Liaoning Province.

The Wang/Guo victory is China's 15th success in mixed doubles since Zhang Xielin/Lin Huiqing won the country's first-ever Z. Heydusek Prize in the 1971 Nagoya 31st World Championship.

It also signals the start of China's run for a sweep of the five championships in the tournament which ends tomorrow.

Wang is also on the road to his second singles crown as he narrowly edged out compatriot Li Ching from Hong Kong yesterday and made into the quarterfinals.

The local hero - paired with Yan Sen - has won two men's doubles titles in the World Championships and one gold medal in the Sydney Olympics.

He was tipped by local fans to clinch this year's singles title because of his undisputable skill and home advantage.

"I hope a Chinese will eventually reach the championship," Wang told reporters after the mixed doubles medal presentation ceremony. "Not necessarily me."

For Liu and Bai, yesterday's defeat was partly due to the organizers' tight schedule.

Just minutes before the finals, Liu, No. 18 in men's singles, romped past Timo Boll of Germany in a 4-3 thriller.

"Liu's lack of stamina also helped us," Wang said.

Liu also reached the top eight of the men's singles.

While most believe formidable Chinese paddlers will make all the doubles finals, Timo Boll and Christian Suss of Germany seem unfazed.

In an early men's semifinal, the German pair thrashed Ma Lin/Chen Qi, the Athens Olympics champions, 4-1.

They play Chinese players Kong Linghui/Wang Hao in today's finals.

Chinese players took all the top four positions in the women's doubles.