Second doubles gold for China

Chen Qi and Ma Lin will Men's Doubles

Saturday, August 21, 2004

ITTF Press Release

After China had won the women’s doubles gold medal, CHEN Qi, 20 and MA Lin, 24, the top seeds, duly lifted a second gold medal for China when they beat KO Lai Chak and LI Ching of Hong Kong, 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5, in today’s men’s doubles final.

It was another clash of left-right handed combinations, with CHEN and KO being left-handed and only CHEN using a shake-hands grip. The Chinese pair had the greatest power of shot, but the Hong Kong pair were better at tight play – causing MA in particular to make errors - and getting in first, leading to them taking two games. However, by the last game the Chinese were able to get in first, and there were some particularly impressive loops on both wings from the young CHEN, who looked the best player on court, backed up by the always dangerous MA. LI served the last 2 balls in the net and CHEN and MA were champions!

About the final, MA said, “It was a very exciting match, very close one. Our opponents were very well prepared. They are one of the best teams in the world and the victory wasn’t so easy. I also want to say that CHEN Qi had an outstanding performance, despite my not so good one. I did my best to leave behind the ‘shadow’ of my singles loss to WALDNER.”

CHEN said, “I was very moved and enthusiastic. I would like to thank my friends and parents for their support.”

KO felt that, “We had very good co-operation and played much better than usual. But I feel kind of disappointed for not winning the gold medal. I hope to achieve a better result in the future.”

On serving the last 2 balls in the net, LI Cheng said, “To a great extent, my service mistakes sprang from the umpire’s misjudgement who earlier charged us with two service faults.”

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Second doubles gold for China

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