(Beijing, December 19) In the men's team final of the "Good Luck Beijing" 2007 Table Tennis International Invitational Tournament held at the Peking University Gymnasium this evening, China's Ma Long, Chen Qi and Hao Shuai put up excellent teamwork by beating Korea, winning the men's team title with three straight matches. In the bronze-medal game contested this afternoon, Europe edged Hong Kong China 3-2 to place third, leaving the fourth place to the latter.

Ma Long whitewashes Cho Eon Rae 3-0

China's Ma Long took on Cho Eon Rae of Korea in the first match. Both Ma Long, world No. 4, and Cho Eon Rae are right-handed tennis holders. Ma Long opened the game with three points but made mistakes in protracted rallies when Cho Eon Rae attacked his backhand, resulting in draws at 3-3, 4-4 and 6-6. Ma's backhand drives helped him earn two more points to lead 8-6 and win 11-7.

After 2-2 in the second set, Ma gained the initiative to lead 5-2 only to be drawn at 5-5 on Cho's services. Both committed errors before tying the score again at 8-8. Cho showed his strength in backhand strokes while Ma Long used his services to outscore his opponent 11-9.

Leading 3-1 and 4-2 into the third, Ma dominated the play with fast and powerful smashes before taking it 11-6.

Hao Shuai edges Lee Jung Woo 3-1

China's Hao Shuai opened the score with a 1-0 lead but it was soon tied at 2-2. With a pen-hold grip Korea's Lee Jung Woo was obviously inferior in sustained rallies. Hao extended his lead to 10-6 and finished the set 11-6 on Lee's missed service.

Following Lee's 3-1 lead in the second, Hao Shuai dramatically lost his serve, which enabled Lee to widen the gap to six. Trailing 9-3, Hao managed to score three consecutive points amidst the cheers from the home crowds, but his effort was in vain as he soon lost 11-6 by twice hitting into the net after a receive miss and a low backhand stroke.

Lee opened the third set with a stunning service error, while Hao lost no time in leading 3-0, 5-2 and then 10-5. With five set points Hao lost three in a row but finally managed to win 11-8 with heavy strikes.

When Hao led 3-1 in the fourth Lee called time-out, after which Hao continued to lead 5-3 before clinching it 11-5.

Ma Long/Chen Qi beat Lee Jung Woo/Lee Jin Kwon 3-0

Right from the beginning of the first set China's Ma Long/Chen Qi showed their overwhelming superiority over their Korean opponents with a 9-1 lead and then a 11-3 win.

With a lucky net ball the Korean pair led 3-1 into the second but the score was soon tied. From 8-8 the two sides exchanged drives till Ma/Chen finished the rallies 11-9.

The Korean pair came from three points behind to tie the score at 4-4 in the third, and went on to outscore the Chinese duo 7-4 and then 8-5. Thanks to Ma Long's effective attacks the gap was narrowed to one point before a 9-9 tie. It was Chen Qi's powerful smash that help the host team secure an 11-9 win.