Asian championships: Zhendong defends men’s singles title

Defending champion Fan Zhendong outclassed Jeong Sang-eun in straight games even as the latter played brilliantly in the third game.

Fan Zhendong made a successful defence of his title, overcoming his opponent in the final in straight games.

Defending champion Fan Zhendong ended Jeong Sang-eun’s giant-killing run to defend his title at the Asian table tennis championships here on Sunday.

The world No. 2 denied a late comeback from the 27-year-old Jeong and won 11-5, 11-5, 11-8, though the latter played brilliantly in the third game, reported Xinhua news agency.

This is the eighth consecutive time a Chinese has won the men's singles title here. In the 23 editions of the tournament, a Chinese man has won the singles title 20 times.

Zhendong reached the final after beating local favourite Zhang Jike 3-1, while Jeong beat Koki Niwa 3-2 in the semifinals.

In women’s doubles category, Zhu Yuling and Chen Meng, the 2013 winners, took the title, beating their fellow Chinese duo of Wang Manyu and Chen Ke in the final.

The long-time partners won 11-8, 6-11, 11-7, 11-9 against Wang and Chen.