Saive shocks Chinese Wang Hao at ITTF Men's World Cup

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, October 12, 2003

Saive shocks Chinese Wang Hao at ITTF Men's World Cup

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Former European champion Jean-Michel Saive of Belgium stunned the in-form Wang Haowith his experience in a quarterfinal match at the ITTF Men's World Cup, engaging a clash with Kalinikos Kreanga of Greece in the last four.

The 20-year-old Wang Hao started high with 2-0 but Saive turnedaround the table by winning the next three games.

Though Wang rallied to take the sixth game from 6-9 to 15-13, he was unable to find his sharpness he performed in the group matches.

Saive, 34, said,"It was a hard fight as I expected after the draw last night. Though I was two games down, I believed I could come back because I noticed Wang got nervous."

The Belgian now earns his sixth appearance in the semifinals atthe World Cup in his career and will play Greek Kalinikos Kreanga, a 4-0 winner over Alexei Smirnov of Russia in the semi-finals.

In another last four showdown, Chinese former world champion Wang Liqin, who outclassed Ryu Seung-Min of South Korea by 4-1 (11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 11-3) will face teammate Ma Lin, a 4-2 (11-4,13-11, 11-5, 9-11, 12-14, 11-8) winner over defending champion Timo Boll of Germany.

Wang said,"I beat Ryu twice before and I was confident to upsethim once more. I am familiar with his style. I will be more relaxed to play Ma in the last four because at least one of our Chinese players books a place in the final, no matter who wins thematch."

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