Zhang Jike Repeats Rotterdam Success to Win Liebherr Crown

Crowned World champion earlier in the year in Rotterdam, 23 year old Zhang Jike added another title to his collection on the afternoon of Sunday 13th November 2011.

In the final of the Liebherr Men's World Cup, he recovered from a two games to nil deficit to beat compatriot Wang Hao and thus reversed the decision of one year earlier in Magdeburg.

The victory meant he became only the third player to win both the Men's Singles title at the World Championships and the Men's World Cup title in the same year; the others being Jörgen Persson 1991 and Kong Linghui in 1995.

Highest Career Finish, Joo Se Hyuk Secures Third Place in Paris

Incredible defensive skills combined with seizing the opportunity to attack when the chance arose saw Korea's Joo Se Hyuk secure third place in the Liebherr Men's World Cup in Paris.

He beat Japan's Jun Mizutani in four straight games (11-3, 11-4, 11-9, 11-6) to secure the highest finish of his career in a Men's World Cup.

The previous best had been in the Chinese city of Hangzhou in 2004 when he had finished in fourth place; on that occasion he was beaten by Kalin Kreanga of Greece in the semi-finals and by China's Wang Hao in the third place contest.

Sixth Consecutive Final, Wang Hao Beats Brave Jun Mizutani

The defending champion and winner of the title on three previous occasions, China's Wang Hao emerged successful in his semi-final duel at the Liebherr Men's World Cup in Paris.

Seeded no.1, he beat Jun Mizutani, the no.4 seed, in five games to book his place in the final of the prestigious tournament for the sixth time in his career.

Now on his most recent six appearances in the Men's World Cup, he has reached the final. Meanwhile, for Jun Mizutani in his third Liebherr Men's World Cup appearance it was the second consecutive occasion that he had departed at the semi-final stage.

Resistance Overcome, Zhang Jike Beats Joo Se Hyuk to Reach Liebherr Final

Zhang Jike, the reigning World champion, duly booked his place in the final of the Liebherr Men's World Cup by overcoming Korea's Joo Se Hyuk in their semi-final encounter on the morning of Sunday 13th November 2011.

In front of a capacity crowd of 4,000, Zhang Jike posted a straight games victory to reach the final of the prestigious event and in so doing repeating the feat of one year earlier when making his debut in the competition.

He beat Joo Se Hyuk 11-7, 12-10, 11-7, 11-3.

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