China's Wang Hao pose for photos with his trophy after the awarding ceremony for the final at the 2007 Liebherr Men's World Cup table tennis in Barcelona, Spain, Oct. 14, 2007. Wang Hao claimed the title by defeating South Korea's Rye Seung Min 4-0. (Xinhua/Chen Haitong) Photo Gallery>>>

    BARCELONA, Spain, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Top seeded Chinese Wang Hao smashed Ryu Seung Min in straight sets to win the 2007 men's World Cup on Sunday, revenging his Athens Olympic final defeat to the South Korean.

    The current world number one was made to battle a prolonged first game before surging into a lopsided 14-12, 11-3, 11-8, 11-7 victory for his first-ever men's singles world title, in sharp contrast to the Athens final where Ryu clinched a swift win in five games.

    Earlier in the bronze medal match, reigning world champion Wang Liqin beat European champion Timo Boll for a third time bronze medal finish in this tournament.

China's Wang Hao jubilates after scoring a point against South Korea's Rye Seung Min during the final at the 2007 Liebherr Men's World Cup table tennis in Barcelona, Spain, Oct. 14, 2007. Wang Hao claimed the title by winning the match 4-0. (Xinhua/Chen Haitong)Photo Gallery>>>

    The third-seeded Chinese, recovering from a shock semifinal defeat to Ryu, needed only half an hour to secure a quick 11-8, 11-7, 11-3, 11-9 win.

    "I think what I have achieved justifies my world ranking," said Wang. "As I did well in the semifinal and the final, I'm happy about that."

    He eliminated European champion Timo Boll in the semifinal in the same blitzing way, beating the German 11-8, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4.

    "I think I'm much more experienced than before, and I've learned how to control the rhythm. I could played more stable, combining tactics with a more relaxed mind.

    "In the last two world cups, I had led big in the finals only to squander the edge and the title in the end. I avoided making the same mistake this time," he added.

    In the Olympic final, nerves had overtaken the Chinese, only 21then, and Ryu was the man who had revelled in big occasions.

    But in Barcelona, Wang's composure, penetration and his appetite for a gold was just too much for Ryu.

    The opening game saw Ryu establish an 8-6 lead before Wang held his nerves to level.

    Then the two switched points from 9-all to 12-all. It was the Chinese who captured the next two points, making good use of attacking the opponent's backhand.

    The second game went even more easier for Wang and the Olympic champion seemed simply giving up as he only extracted three points.

    Ryu was struggling to find the form when he ousted four time world cup winner Ma Lin and Wang Liqin.

    He managed some long rallies against Wang Hao to woo spectators but the top seed asserted his authority, concluding matters in the fourth game.

    "I had a lot of lucky points against Ma Lin and Wang Liqin. And they were not in the best form," Ryu said.

    "Wang was too strong. I tried different tactics but couldn't score points.

    "But it's a good practise before the Olympic Games next year. I'll try to do well next time," he said.

Wang Hao crushes Boll into final of table tennis World Cup

China's Wang Hao competes during the semifinals against Germany's Timo Boll at the men's World Cup table tennis tournament in Barcelona, Spain, Oct. 14, 2007. Wang Hao defeated Boll 4-0 and stormed into the final. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BARCELONA, Spain, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Current World No. 1 Wang Hao of China stormed into the final after beating Germany's Timo Boll 11-8, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4 at the table tennis men's World Cup here on Sunday.

    A highly motivated Wang proved too strong for the European champion as he won in straight games and was in the final for a third year in a row.

    The top seed had a flying start as he was already 2-0 up after two games against Boll, still recovering from a bad cold that sidelined him from the team world cup a week ago.

    Boll managed some fight back but Wang never lost any opportunity to score, with his service and return of service both precise and penetrating.

    After losing the third game 11-7, Boll seemed hesitating and unsure of himself. The two-time world cup winner simply gave up the fourth 11-4.