Korean Open: 19 yr-old star is born

Chen Qi defeated by Ma Lin in Men's Singles Final

First published on Sunday, September 7, 2003

Last updated on Sunday, September 7, 2003

ITTF Press Release

Lausanne, Switzerland, 7 September 2003. The young Chinese CHEN Qi had to settle with “only” one Korea Open title – the one he won in Men’s Doubles. In the Men’s Singles final he lost to compatriot and top seed MA Lin.
However considering that CHEN Qi is unranked, only 19 and at his first Pro Tour event, one doubles title and a place in the singles final, should be more than acceptable.

CHEN actually had his chances in the final, but the experience of MA Lin seemed to make the difference. CHEN Qi took the lead 2-0, but slowly MA Lin took control and he won 4 games in a row to deny his young compatriot the title.

"I think I was quite lucky. I had to win the 3rd game to survive and I did, but it was close”, says MA Lin who took his 8th Pro Tour title in Men’s Singles.
Both MA Lin and CHEN Qi will give it another try next week – at the Panasonic China Open in Fouzhou.

It will be interesting to see if MA Lin can continue his dominancy – and if CHEN Qi is more than a one time star. He probably is, beating Jean-Michel SAIVE (BEL), WANG Hao (CHN), CHUAN Chih-Yuan (TPE) and KONG Linghui (CHN) at the same tournament, he seems to have the capacity to make more foot prints on the Pro Tour.

← View all Articles

Korean Open: 19 yr-old star is born

Related Articles