Two-time world champion Wang Liqin cemented his number one ranking by regaining the men's singles title to wind up the Japan Open table tennis tournament.

Wang, the winner here in 2000, defeated teammate Wang Hao 12-10, 11-7, 11-9, 11-8 in the final, a victory that was sweet revenge after losing to the silver medallist at the Athens Olympics, forcing him to settle for bronze.

It was Wang Liqin's second title of the year and 23rd on the Pro Tour, an impressive collection that includes gold at the 2005 and 1998 Asian championships and the 2002 Asian Games.

In the semis, Wang Liqin eliminated his compatriot Ma Lin 11-9, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 6-11, 6-11, 11-4, while Wang Hao outgunned Timo Boll of Germany 7-11, 16-14, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7, 11-9 to set up an all-Chinese final.

In the women's singles final Sunday, Wang Yuegu of Singapore staved off two match points in the final game to beat top seed Guo Yan of China 8-11, 14-12, 7-11, 4-11, 11-9, 12-10, 14-12 to capture her first career title.

It was also her first career final on the Pro Tour circuit. Her previous best was reaching the semi-finals at Taiwan this season and at Fort Lauderdale last year.

Wang Yuegu defeated compatriot Chen Qing, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9, 12-10, 12-10, while Guo Yan defeated Japan's Haruna Fukuoka 12-10, 7-11, 15-13.

Earlier in the day, Ma Lin and Wang Hao, the winning duo here in 2001, won back the men's doubles title, beating Chen Qi and Wang Liqin 7-11, 10-12, 4-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6.

Ma has won the doubles with different players in 1998, 1999 and 2003.

In the women's doubles final, Zhang Rui of Hong Kong, who surprisingly knocked out Sydney Olympic gold medallist Wang Nan of China in the women's singles second round, did it again.

Zhang teamed up with Tie Yana to beat Wang Nan and Chen Qing 11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 12-10 to bring the first Japan title to Hong Kong since Chai Po Wa won the women's singles in 1989 and 1993.

(AFP September 25, 2006)