(Beijing, December 16) In the men's doubles final of the "Good Luck Beijing" 2007 Volkswagen Pro Tour Grand Finals held this evening, China's Wang Liqin/Chen Qi beat teammates Ma Lin/Wang Hao 4-1 (11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6, 12-10) to win the event. This was Wang Liqin's fourth men's doubles title, the first three won through partnership with Yan Sen in 1996, 1998 and 2000 respectively.

Previously in the semifinals Wang/Chen had eliminated Ko Lai Chak/Li Ching of Hong Kong China 4-2 while Ma/Wang had edged teammates Hao Shuai/Ma Long 4-3. Before the final the two Chinese pairs were set to fight for their ticket to the 2008 Olympic Games. As Wang Liqin and Chen Qi were both squeezed out of the singles final this afternoon, they might bear less mental pressure than their opponents into the decisive game.

Having played in partnership with each other for merely one year, Ma Lin/Wang Hao met Wang Liqin/Chen Qi two times with one win each. They first met at the 2006 ITTF Pro Tour in Japan, with Ma/Wang coming dramatically from 3 sets behind to win the final. The second time they met at the 2007 Japan Open, where Ma/Wang lost to Wang/Chen 4-1.

The opening set today saw both sides launching powerful attacks against each other to tie at 5-5 and then 7-7. Wang Liqin's backhand lifted drives helped earned the pair the set point at 10-8. With pivot lift Ma Lin got 1 only to be put down by Wang Liqin's forehand smash, 11-9.

Wang/Chen led 3-0 into the second but Ma/Wang soon made it 4-5. Wang/Chen then displayed excellent teamwork to earn 5 in a row for the set point at 10-4. After several lift out and net, Wang made amends for his faults by a formidable smash to win 11-7.

The two sides exchanged short shots early in the third set, with Ma/Wang leading 4-3. While Wang Liqin failed to play consistently his partner Chen Qi proved his prowess with consecutive drives to turn the score at 7-8. At the crucial moment it was Wang Liqin's back cross out that cost Wang/Chen the set 7-11.

Wang/Chen led 4-0 into the fourth set and then 9-3 thanks to their high rate of success in the sustained rallies. With Chen Qi's close-to-table fast attack Wang/Chen reached the set point at 10-3. Following a few demonstration-like shots Wang/Chen finished the set with 11-6.

After trailing 3-6 in the fifth due to their conservative play Chen Qi tactically succeeded in attacking Ma Lin's backhand and evened the score at 6-6. Boosted by the tie, Wang/Chen kept pressing their opponents and the score was leveled from 7-7 to 10-10. It was again Chen Qi's hammer drive that helped them win 12-10 and sent them to the men's doubles throne, which more or less made up for their early defeat in the singles.