BEIJING: China continues to exert its dominance over table tennis as world number one Zhang Yining defeated Singapore’s golden girl Li Jiawei four sets to one in the semi-final of the Olympic table tennis competition on Friday morning.

Zhang, gunning for her second gold in the singles after winning in Athens four years ago, downed the world number six 9-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-8, 11-5.

Li had been hoping for an upset after winning silver in the team competition, the city-state’s first medal in 48 years.

Li came out firing in the first game with some aggressive shots, racing ahead before Zhang saved four game points, only for the Singaporean to edge over the line 11-9. But the world number one steadied in the second, taking an early lead and then holding off the Beijing-born Li.

Li went 6-3 up in the third but Zhang once again fought back to level at 6-6 with a scorching cross-court forehand. The pair matched point for point for 10-10 before Li, with the pressure on both players mounting, pushed the ball too far, missing the table, handing Zhang the game.

In a tightly fought fourth game, featuring numerous fast and furious rallies, Zhang edged ahead when Li netted.

Zhang, sensing victory, powered ahead in the last as Li wilted. The Chinese player won when Li netted.

In an interview with Channel NewsAsia, Li said anxiety lead to her defeat.

“Today I thought I performed well,” Li said. I felt I had a chance but in the crucial third game I didn’t hold on to my 6-3 lead, I was a little too anxious.”

The finals will be an all-China affair as Zhang plays fellow teammate Wang Nan later Friday for the gold.

Wang had earlier defeated Guo Yue, also from China, 4-2 in a 46-minute clash.

Singapore’s Li said that although she lost to Zhang, it was already a feat to make it through to the semis alongside the Chinese table tennis titans.

She also promised to do her best in the battle for bronze with Guo on Friday evening.

“With three Chinese and one Singaporean in the semi-finals, to me it’s already a success,” said the Singapore paddler. “I’ll do my best and fight for (bronze).”

Singapore viewers can catch the action live at 7.30pm Friday on MediaCorp’s Channel 5.

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