Zhang Jike wins men's title at Paris World Championships

The men's singles title would come down to a clash between the Chinese pair of Zhang Jike and Wang Hao at the World Table Tennis Championships in Paris. A win for Zhang over his old rival Wang, would see him become just the sixth player to defend his world championship title.

Monday's showdown was the fifth time Zhang and Wang met in a major final. Zhang had won three of their four previous encounters, each of those coming in big moments. Zhang's wins saw him complete the Grand Slam, winning Olympic, World Championship and World Cup titles at the expense of his countryman.

And Zhang would get off to a great start in the best of seven as he took the first game 11-7. After the next two games were split Zhang would take control of the match in the fourth game. He was able to match Wang Hao step for step and eeked out a close one 14-12 to move one game away.

And in the sixth, Zhang would complete the win 11-7 the scoreline there, as he took the best of seven 4-2 to once again get the better of Wang and repeat as men's world champion.

Zhang Jike said, "I didn't invite my parents to watch my matches in the previous Olympics or World championships. This time they asked me and I said no problem. Maybe I'm more confident after winning the grand slams. I felt so exciting seeing them cheer for me. I believe the title is the best gift for them."