Ma Lin crowns in ITTF Men's World Cup

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, October 13, 2003

Ma Lin crowns in ITTF Men's World Cup

World top player Ma Lin lived up to his reputation by trouncing Kalinikos Kreanga of Greece to claim the title at the ITTF Men's World Cup Sunday in Jiangyin.

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Ma Lin crowns in ITTF Men's World Cup

World top player Ma Lin lived up to his reputation by trouncing Kalinikos Kreanga of Greece to claim the title at the ITTF Men's World Cup Sunday in Jiangyin.

It is the first men's single title at a major international event for China after the ITTF, governing body of the sport, introduced the three-step reform of big ball, 11-point system and no-hide service since 2000 Olympic Games.

Ma, who lost only four sets en route to the final by beating title holder and world No. 2 Timo Boll, former world champion WangLiqin and Jean-Michel Saive of Belgium, showed no mercy to the Greek with a 4-1 (9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7, 11-9) victory.

Ma's victory added his unbeaten record against Kreanga up to 8-0.

Ma, first World Cup champion by using the big ball three years ago, said, "I tried to lead Kreanga by the nose as he is good at rallies. I was a little bit nervous at the beginning of the match."

Ma admitted that he has improved a lot in the technique and mental aspects thanks to the newly-appointed national men's head coach Liu Guoliang, former world and Olympic Games champion.

"Liu helped me to go through my disappointed World Championships where I stopped in the last eight. I felt more mature at controlling the game than I was in May. I hope the victory can help to win the Team World Championships and Athens Olympic Games next year," said the 23-year-old.

Kreanga, 31, said, "It was a good game. I expected to play better against Ma than I did before and I succeeded in keeping himaway from me in the first game, but that was all: I lost to him a 1-4 one more time."

"I have to say that Ma is the best player in the world," Kreanga said.

In the bronze medal battle, local favorite Wang Liqin led most of the time, winning 4-1 (11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8) over Belgian Saive.

In an additional President's Challenge, in which invited 8 of the players at the World Cup and 8 spectators, world silver medalist Joo Se-Hyuk of South Korea beat Saive in the final.

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