Ding sparks China's success in table tennis worlds

Team China celebrates after winning the women's title at the world team table tennis championships in Dortmund of Germany April 1, 2012. [Photo\Xinhua]

DORTMUND - Top-ranked Ding Ning spearheaded China to a 3-0 victory over defending champions Singapore in the women's final of the world team table tennis championships on Sunday.

In a contrast to the men's team final which was played in front of a packed crowd, the women's championship game took place in sparsely seated Westfalenhallen.

Inspired by the Chinese men's 3-0 win over the Germans minutes ago, Ding handed a 14-12, 8-11, 11-4, 11-3 defeat to the world fifth-ranked Feng Tianwei, who was instrumental in Singapore's victory two years ago, which ended China's bid for their ninth straight crown.

Feng started well as she held the world singles champion to 12-all before losing the first set, and snatched the second set back by playing a solid attacking game. Then, everything went wrong for Feng. She lost 10 straight points in the third set and collected only three in the fourth.

"Feng Tianwei just gave way under heavy fire from Ding Ning, who played a superb game and put the Chinese team in a favorable position," said China's team manager Huang Biao.

"I am very glad to see that young players like Ding Ning have come of age," he added.

Li Xiaoxia, world No. 4, put China 2-0 ahead by beating 32-year-old Wang Yuegu, a former Chinese national team player, in four sets (11-9, 11-13, 12-10, 11-5).

Guo Yue completed China's tally as she crushed former Beijing player Li Jiawei 11-8, 11-6, 11-9.