Wang Hao avenges Athens defeat to win World Cup
Updated: 2007-10-15 09:40
BARCELONA, Spain - Top seeded Chinese Wang Hao smashed Ryu Seung Min in straight sets to win the 2007 men's World Cup on Sunday, avenging his Athens Olympic final defeat to the South Korean.
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The current world number one was made to battle a prolonged first game before surging into a lopsided 14-12, 11-3, 11-8, 11-7 victory for his first-ever men's singles world title, in sharp contrast to the Athens final where Ryu clinched a swift win in five games.
Earlier in the bronze medal match, reigning world champion Wang Liqin beat European champion Timo Boll for a third time bronze medal finish in this tournament.
The third-seeded Chinese, recovering from a shock semifinal defeat to Ryu, needed only half an hour to secure a quick 11-8, 11-7, 11-3, 11-9 win.
"I think what I have achieved justifies my world ranking," said Wang. "As I did well in the semifinal and the final, I'm happy about that."
He eliminated European champion Timo Boll in the semifinal in the same blitzing way, beating the German 11-8, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4.
"I think I'm much more experienced than before, and I've learned how to control the rhythm. I could played more stable, combining tactics with a more relaxed mind.
"In the last two world cups, I had led big in the finals only to squander the edge and the title in the end. I avoided making the same mistake this time," he added.
In the Olympic final, nerves had overtaken the Chinese, only 21 then, and Ryu was the man who had revelled in big occasions.
But in Barcelona, Wang's composure, penetration and his appetite for a gold was just too much for Ryu.
The opening game saw Ryu establish an 8-6 lead before Wang held his nerves to level.
Then the two switched points from 9-all to 12-all. It was the Chinese who captured the next two points, making good use of attacking the opponent's backhand.
The second game went even more easier for Wang and the Olympic champion seemed simply giving up as he only extracted three points.
Ryu was struggling to find the form when he ousted four time world cup winner Ma Lin and Wang Liqin.
He managed some long rallies against Wang Hao to woo spectators but the top seed asserted his authority, concluding matters in the fourth game.
"I had a lot of lucky points against Ma Lin and Wang Liqin. And they were not in the best form," Ryu said.
"Wang was too strong. I tried different tactics but couldn't score points.
"But it's a good practise before the Olympic Games next year. I'll try to do well next time," he said.
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