Chinese teenage paddler Liu triumphs at World Cup

Chinese teenage paddler Liu triumphs at World Cup

China's Liu Shiwen celebrates scoring during the final against her teammate
Guo Yue at the 2009 Women's Table Tennis World Cup in Guangzhou, capital of
south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 12, 2009. Liu claimed the title by 4-3.




GUANGZHOU, South China, Oct. 12 -- Chinese teenager Liu Shiwen upset her
compatriot Guo Yue, Yokohama worlds' runner-up, to lift the trophy of 2009
women's table tennis World Cup here Monday.



China won all the medals on offer.



It took Liu Shiwen a few more than an hour to beat Guo Yue 11-5,9-11, 7-11,
12-10, 11-3, 3-11, 11-3 in a tit-for-tat final.



The 18-year-old Liu, who brought home a bronze medal from the world
championships in Yokohama, started well by taking the opening set. Guo responded
to win the second and third sets, depending on her aggressive attacks.

China's Liu Shiwen returns the ball against her teammate Guo Yue during the
final at the 2009 Women's Table Tennis World Cup in Guangzhou, capital of south
China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 12, 2009. Liu claimed the title by 4-3.



In the fourth set, the two levelled at 10-10, but the next two points all went
to Liu.



Liu continued her performance by taking seven straight points in the fifth after
leading at 3-2 and won it 11-3. The more experienced Guo dominated the sixth
set. In the decisive set, Liu hit her form and sealed the victory with 11-3.



In the semifinals, Liu beat her compatriot and defending champion Li Xiaoxia
13-15, 11-8, 16-14, 11-9, 11-9, following Guo Yue's 11-8, 5-11, 12-10, 8-11,
11-6, 11-8 revenge on Feng Tianwei of Singapore, who ousted Guo in the
quarterfinals of World Cup last year.



Earlier on Monday, Li Xiaoxia beat Feng Tianwei 11-6, 11-9, 11-9, 14-12 for a
bronze.



The 2009 women's table tennis World Cup, one of the table tennis "grand slam"
events, attracted 19 players from 13 countries and regions.

China's Liu Shiwen returns the ball to her teammate Guo Yue at the 2009
Women's Table Tennis World Cup in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong
Province, Oct. 12, 2009. Liu claimed the title by 4-3.

(Xinhua)