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Can China Sweep in Table Tennis?Two of the best technical and strategic players in the world, Kong Linghui and Jan-Ove Waldner of Sweden will battle for gold in men's singles table tennis event on Monday. It sees to be a chance to complete a Chinese sweep in table tennis.China's men's singles final brings together two players noted for their strategy and follows Chinese victories in the men's double and both women's golds. A win by Kong would repeat China's sweep f the medals in Atlanta four years ago and push China further up the medals table. The two Olympians already have a number of gold medals to their names. Waldner won the singles event in Barcelona in 1992, beating Jean-Philippe Gatien (FRA) in the final and Kong has two gold medals in doubles, one from these Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Waldner, a 35-year-old veteran, showed his ability to think fast enough to control the game in his semi-final match against Liu Guoliang. Kong made quick work of Sweden's Joergen Persson in his semi-final to advance. In Table Tennis it is said that playing Kong is like playing against a wall, the ball just keeps coming back. Waldner may have the strategy to break down the wall, but Kong remains the favourite going into the final. Kong said he would have preferred to met Liu in the singles final. "Psychologically speaking, it is easier to compete against Liu Guoliang because the gold would be in Chinese hands," said Kong, who won the doubles with Liu in Sydney and Atlanta. |
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