Ding Ning fights off injury to secure women's singles title at World Table Tennis Championships
China fills all four spots in semi-finals for men's singles at Suzhou tournament
Ding Ning of China shrugged off an ankle injury to clinch her second individual World Table Tennis Championship title after narrowly defeating compatriot Liu Shiwen 4-3 in a thrilling women’s singles final on Saturday.
Ding twisted her right ankle early in the seventh game when she was 2-0 down. But after treatment, the 24-year-old battled on, taking the rubber 11-8 and the title in Suzhou.
After the match, Ding said she had heard a “bang” sound when she fell and there was no feeling in her ankle and lack of power.
She was taken to a hospital for a check up. “My injury looks fine at the moment but I need more treatment as I still want to play in the doubles final,” she said.
Ding was due to partner Li Xiaoxia in the doubles semi-finals against Li Jie of the Netherlands and Li Qian of Poland.
Liu said she had the chance to win the second game against Ding “but lacked the determination to kill off her opponent”.