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China's Ma, Guo retain titles at table tennis Pro Tour Finals

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World number one male table tennis player Ma Long from China defended his title at the seasonal final on Sunday while his compatriot Guo Yan held on the champion in women's singles.

Ma Long of China returns the ball to his compatriot Zhang Jike during the men's singles semifinal at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Pro Tour Grand Finals in Macao, south China, on Jan. 10, 2010. Ma was qualified for the final after beating Zhang by 4-2. [Xinhua/Lo Ping Fai]

It was the first time in the 14-year history of the ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) Pro Tour Grand Finals that both men's and women's singles titles were successfully defended at the same time.

Ma, 21, reinforced his leading position on the world rankings by a six-set win over younger team mate Xu Xin in a score of 11-9,7-11, 5-11, 11-3, 11-5 and 11-2.

"I am happy to win here again," said Ma, trailing by 1-2 in sets before making a rally. "He put high pressure on me in the first three sets, but I finally broke away."

Xu Xin of China returns the ball to his compatriot Wang Liqin during the men's singles semifinal at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Pro Tour Grand Finals in Macao, south China, on Jan. 10, 2010. Xu was qualified for the final after beating Wang by 4-2. [Xinhua/Lo Ping Fai]

Xu, upsetting veteran Wang Liqin, a former world number one, to reach the final, said he lost his own rhythm in the last three sets, thus was overwhelmed by Ma.

Wang Liqin of China returns the ball to his compatriot Xu Xin during the men's singles semifinal at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Pro Tour Grand Finals in Macao, south China, on Jan. 10, 2010. Wang lost the match 2-4. [Xinhua/Lo Ping Fai]

Guo Yan of China returns the ball to her compatriot Ding Ning during the women's singles final at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Pro Tour Grand Finals in Macao, south China, on Jan. 10, 2010. Guo claimed the title of the event after beating Ding by 4-3. [Xinhua/Lo Ping Fai]

The 26-year-old Guo edged out her Beijing team mate Ding Ning in seven sets marking 3-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-4, 2-11, 13-11, 11-9.

Ding Ning of China returns the ball to her compatriot Guo Yan during the women's singles final at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Pro Tour Grand Finals in Macao, south China, on Jan. 10, 2010. Ding lost the match 3-4. [Xinhua/Lo Ping Fai]

"I am a little bit lucky to win today," said Guo. "The net and edge ball in the sixth set saved me from a match point, so I am sitting here as a winner thanks to some luck."

Guo survived from the match point and won in 13-11, pushing the game to a final set.

However, the 19-year-old debutant had another good chance to be a double-title winner as she led with 9-7 before Guo scored four straight points to seal the gold.

"I was not strong enough in mind nor firm enough on strategy," said Ding, who had already claimed the doubles title on Saturday.

"I need more experience and my ability of capturing the opportunities on court needs to be enhanced."

It was the second seven-set match she had combated on Sunday.

Earlier in the semifinal, Ding beat Singapore's Feng Tianwei, highest ranked player for non-Chinese at 6th, in a duel of breathtaking bout.