(L to R)Liu Shiwen, Ding Ning, Chen Meng, coach Kong Linghui, Zhu Yuling and Li Xiaoxia of China's women's table tennis team pose after winning the final against Japan at the 2016 World Team Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March 6, 2016. Defending champion China's women's table tennis team won the world championship title for the 20th time by defeating Japan 3-0 in the final. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Defending champion China won the women's team title for the 20th time after beating Japan 3-0 in the final of the 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships here on Sunday.
As the first player in action for China, Liu Shiwen beat Japanese Ai Fukuhara easily 11-5, 11-6 and 11-8, giving a perfect start for her team.
"I played in a fairly good state today due to the support from our strong team. I also want to extend my appreciation to the audience in the stadium, who have been cheering up for us," Liu said.
Li Xiaoxia won the second rubber for China after a tough battle against Kasumi Ishikawa. After losing the first two sets 6-11 and 7-11, Li began to demonstrate her dominance on the court from 8-all of the third set and left no chance to Ishikawa by winning the last three sets 11-9, 11-3 and 11-5.
"Though I have not been in my best state during the championships, I still feel satisfied with the result. After all, I managed to tackle with the pressure and win the match," Li said.
Reigning world champion Ding Ning also had a tough task against Japanese 15-year-old Mima Ito. After losing the first set 8-11, Ding displayed her all-round skills in defense and attack to dominate the rest of the match, winning three sets in a row to wrap up the final 11-7, 11-8 and 11-1.
"Because Ding has been playing very stable, I decided to let her to play the third rubber," said Kong Linghui, head coach of the Chinese women's team.
China has won the title without surrendering a single match during last eight days.
