Primoracdid great
AP World Politics
Germany’s Boll to face China’s Kong in finals of ITTF Men’s World Cup table tennis
Sat Nov 2, 9:07 AM ET
BEIJING – World No. 3 Timo Boll of Germany beat Croatia’s Zoran Primorac on Saturday to set up a finals showdown against Chinese Olympic champion Kong Linghui in the ITTF Men’s World Cup table tennis tournament.
Boll, the European champion, beat Primorac 11-9, 5-11, 11-3, 12-14, 1-11, 11-4, 11-8 in the tournament in the eastern Chinese city of Jinan.
“I was not nervous but tired against Primorac. My body was sore after so many intense fights in the event,” said Boll, 21, who is playing in his first World Cup.
Kong defeated Austria’s Werner Schlager 11-2, 5-11, 11-7, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9. Earlier in the day, Kong had beaten South Korea (news – web sites)’s Ohn Sang-eun.
World No. 1 Wang Liqin and No. 2 Ma Lin of China both crashed out of the event. Wang fell to Boll early Saturday, while Primorac beat Ma.
“It is the first time that I beat Ma,” said Primorac, who had lost to the Chinese just days ago in the Dutch Open. “I had many lucky shots today. I am happy that I showed my full strength.”
