Ding clinches table tennis gold, achieving career Grand Slam
August 11, 2016
China's Ding Ning returns the ball against her compatriot Li Xiaoxia during the women's singles gold medal match of table tennis at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 10, 2016. Ding Ning won the gold medal. (Xinhua/Lin Yiguang)
Ding Ning became the new Grand Slam winner of table tennis on Wednesday after winning in full sets over defending champion Li Xiaoxia in an all-Chinese women's singles final in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
The 26-year-old top seed, whose encounter with Li was a rematch of the London final four years ago, held her nerve to beat out her teammate 11-9, 5-11, 14-12, 9-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7.
"I'm happy with the result and have also enjoyed the process," said Ding at a post-match press conference.
It was the first time in the sport's 28-year history since the game was introduced to the 1988 Seoul Games that the same two players entered a singles final in back-to-back Olympic Games.
Four years ago in London, Ding lost to Li after being deducted three points by Italian umpire Paola Bongelli without any warning.
The twice world champion, however, declined to call it a revenge.
"Li Xiaoxia is my teammate and friend. I've learned a lot from her," she said. "After the failure in London 2012, I did thorough reflection and confirmed that I did want to continue fighting."
Facing an opponent as tough as the 28-year-old Li, Ding had not a second on court relaxed but kept cool head when it came up to decisions until she crouched in court and burst into tears after sealing the victory.
"I think I've been more seasoned and more up to challenge right now than four years ago," Ding said.
"After making through to the final, I said to myself that I was on my way to realizing my dream and should devote everything I have for it," she added. "That's why I lived the hardness but simultaneously enjoyed it."
Trailing 3-9 into the game, Li managed to score five points in a row to narrow the gap to 8-9, but Ding was the one to eventually win it 11-9.
The Chinese duo then exchanged leads in the following sets, which went as unpredictable as usual when it came between two Chinese players.
Both Ding and Li made few mistakes and none of them was able to guarantee an unbeatable lead, neither with Ding's trademark backhand serve or Li's fierce attack with crazy top spin.
In the later proved important third set, Ding took an earlier lead and denied a late comeback from Li to win 14-12, though she was quite uncomfortable with her left shoulder after two straight matches against defensive players before the final.
A highlight moment came on the court in the fifth set as the duo performed an eye-catching forehand counter attack before Li won the more than 20-tap rally to lead 9-3.
Later in the decider, with Li having denied two match points through serves, Ding called herself a timeout at the none-coach attended "civil war" , and came back to wrap up the match.
"I had no regrets," commented Li, who suggested earlier Wednesday that this could be her last Olympic Games earlier Wednesday after her semifinal against Ai Fukuhara.
"I had submitted my resignation application for retirement earlier this year but was later persuaded to stay for the Olympics. I want to express my gratitude to all those who pulled me back. I did my best today and the process is my reward," said the native of Shandong province.
Both Ding and Li told media after the final that the upcoming team event will be their next focus and they will fight alongside each other to make sure the gold would be pocketed by China.
"Sometimes we are rivals on court, especially in singles play. But for most of time, we are teammates and on the back of each other. That's why the Chinese women's national team has been dominant for such long time," said Li.
Earlier on Wednesday evening, Olympic debutant Kim Song-I of DPR Korea denied star paddler Ai Fukuhara's chance of launching a revenge for fellow Japanese Kasumi Ishikawa, beating the No. 6 seed 4-0 for an Olympic bronze medal.
