China's Zhang Jike returns the ball against Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus during men's singles semifinal of table tennis at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 11, 2016. Zhang Jike won 4-1. (Xinhua/Lin Yiguan)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Table tennis Grand Slam winner Zhang Jike is just one step away from defending his Olympic men's singles gold medal after smashing Vladimir Samsonov 4-1 here on Thursday to set up an all-Chinese final with Ma Long.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, world No. 1 Ma overcame a late stumble to beat sixth-ranked Japanese Jun Mizutani 4-2 in the other semi clash.
Zhang, 28, triumphed 11-9, 13-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-9.
A faster and heavier hitter than the 40-year-old veteran of Belarus, the second-seeded Zhang won almost all forehand rallies except an edge ball from Samsonov in the third set while the former leading 7-6.
After granting the fourth set 11-6, Zhang hesitated no more and led 5-1 in the decisive fifth before he forced his six times Olympian opponent to return it wide to win 11-9.
China's Ma Long returns the ball against Japan's Jun Mizutani during men's singles semifinal of table tennis at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 11, 2016. Ma Long won 4-2. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
