Xu Xin and Li Xiaoxia Capture Shanghai Crowns

Shanghai-China, May 29, 2012: The host nation’s XU Xin and LI Xiaoxia won the respective Men’s and Women’s Singles titles at the GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour China Open in Shanghai on Sunday 27th May.

It was for XU Xin, the no.4 seed, his second such title of the year and a reversal of fortunes suffered one week earlier in Korea; in February he had won in Qatar, seven days earlier he had been beaten by the narrowest of margins in a full distance seven games final by colleague, ZHANG Jike.

The 22 year old who learned his trade in Shanghai, motivated by the home fans gained revenge. He recovered from a two games to nil deficit to beat ZHANG Jike, the no.2 seed in the semi-finals, before overcoming compatriot MA Long, the no.1 seed, in the final.

Smiles on the faces of the home fans but there was disappointment; three times Men’s Singles World champion, WANG Liqin, the no.7 seed who also hails from Shanghai, was beaten in four straight games.

A continuation of good form for XU Xin, for LI Xiaoxia it was a welcome return to winning ways.

It was her first Tour Women’s Singles title since August 2010 when she had won in Suzhou at the Harmony China Open. In an event, which like the men, saw all four semi-finalists from China, LI Xiaoxia, the no.3 seed beat LIU Shiwen, the no.2 seed, in the final having one round earlier accounted for DING Ning, the no.1 seed.

One week earlier in Korea, LI Xiaoxia had suffered defeat at the same stage of proceedings when facing DING Ning; one week later the contest in Shanghai was a much different affair.

At the end of the second game, DING Ning called for a doctor and complained of feeling dizzy. She decided to continue but was well below her accepted level; following the conclusion of the match she was driven to a local hospital.

DING Ning withdrew from proceedings which meant the Women’s Doubles final did not take place; she was scheduled to partner LI Xiaoxia. Hong Kong’s JIANG Huajun and LEE Ho Ching thus secured the title by default.

However, the Men’s Doubles final did proceed with victory going to a partnership who may well combine in the Men’s Team event at the London Olympic Games, where the third match in a fixture is doubles.

In an all-Chinese final, MA Long and WANG Hao beat MA Lin and ZHANG Jike in a contest where the second seeds beat the top seeds.

Men’s Singles

Semi-Final: MA Long (CHN) bt WANG Liqin (CHN) 11.4, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7

Semi-Final: XU Xin (CHN) bt ZHANG Jike (CHN) 5-11, 9-11, 14-12, 12-10, 11-9, 11-6

Final: XU Xin (CHN) bt MA Long (CHN) 6-11, 11-5, 12-10, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4.

Women’s Singles

Semi-Final: LI Xiaoxia (CHN) bt DING Ning (CHN) 9-11, 11-4, 11-4, 12-10, 11-2

Semi-Final: LIU Shiwen (CHN) bt FAN Ying (CHN) 11-8, 11-8, 11-4, 11-5

Final: LI Xiaoxia (CHN) vt LIU Shiwen (CHN) 6-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-3, 11-6

Men’s Doubles

Final: MA Long / Wang Hao (CHN) (CHN) bt MA Lin / Zhang Jike (CHN) 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 12-10

Women’s Doubles

Final: JIANG Huajun / LEE Ho Ching (HKG) w/o DING Ning / LI Xiaoxia (CHN

PHOTO: RE MY GROS

Xu Xin and Li Xiaoxia Capture Shanghai Crowns

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