Zhu wins women’s crown at Asian table tennis

Ahmedabad: Zhu Yuling of China defeated compatriot Liu Shiwen in a hard-fought women’s singles final to win her maiden continental title at the 30th Asian Championship table tennis tournament here on Sunday.

The Chinese paddlers regaled the sizeable crowd at the TransStadia arena with some top quality action before the World No. 3 won 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 10-12, 11-13, 11-6 in a thrilling contest which lasted for more than an hour.

Liu, placed at the fourth spot in the world rankings, was favourite going into this tournament. She had won the World Cup and Asian Cup four times each and the World Tour Grand Finals thrice.