By Krystal Hu
PARIS (Reuters) -Sweden’s Truls Moregard continued his dream run as China underlined its global dominance of table tennis by securing three 4-0 victories in the Olympic singles semi-finals on Friday.
Men’s second seed Fan Zhendong overcame French teenager Felix Lebrun, while women’s defending champion Chen Meng and her teammate Sun Yingsha cruised through to set up a repeat of the final in Tokyo three years ago.
Fan will face the 22-year-old Moregard in the first men’s singles final since 2008 that does not feature two Chinese players.
First-time Olympian Moregard continued his incredible run by defeating Brazilian Hugo Calderano to become the first Swede to each the final since former champion Jan-Ove Waldner in 2000.
In a tight match against Calderano, Moregard showcased a variety of styles and managed to win the key points as he secured a 4-2 victory.
“I’m still in shock. I will never think that I could stand here with a secure medal at this point in my career so early in my first Olympics,” Moregard said.
Chen will again face Sun Yingsha, whom she beat 4-2 in the Tokyo final.
Sun, the world number one, has not lost a single game at this Olympics and will have a chance to add a second gold to her collection after victory in the mixed doubles.
For China’s Fan, the tough 4-3 win over Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto less than 24 hours ago has boosted his confidence.
“The score definitely exceeded expectations,” said Fan. “I thought every match might be as tough as yesterday’s.
“Whether things were going smoothly today or I was trailing like yesterday, I felt very determined to take control of the match.”
Fan won a close first game 11-8 after it was tied at 8-8, leaving 17-year-old Lebrun shaken. Despite resistance from the talented teenager, Fan maintained a high quality of forehand top-spin shots during the many long rallies.
“I didn’t play so bad, but if I want to win against Fan I have to play my best and that was not today,” said Lebrun, who will face Calderano for a bronze medal.
Japanese left-hander Hina Hayata will meet South Korea’s Shin Yubin for the bronze medal.
(Reporting by Krystal Hu in Paris; Editing by Ken Ferris and Ed Osmond)
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