Wang Hao storms into final

ByReuters

Published 22/08/2004 at 09:55 GMT

Rising talent Wang Hao stunned Chinese world number one Wang Liqin 4-1 to reach the Olympic final of the men's table tennis singles on Sunday. Wang Hao will meet South Korea's Ryu Seung-min in the final in what is a clash of the next generation of the sport on Monday.

Wang Hao needed just 28 minutes to blast his way past his more illustrious compatriot, winning 11-8 11-5 6-11 11-9 11-3 in a one-sided match.

The 20-year-old looked hungrier than Wang Liqin, who was clearly rattled as his younger opponent repeatedly shouted andpumped his fists between points to get himself fired up.

Waldner, gold medallist at the 1992 Barcelona Games and runner-up in Sydney four years ago, failed to extend his dream run in Athens as the 38-year-old was beaten 11-9 9-11 11-9 11-5 11-5 by world number three Ryu.

Athens 2004