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BEIJING: China's Wang Hao defeated Sweden's veteran Jorgen Persson in the men's table tennis semi-finals Saturday 4-1, ensuring the host nation gold in the premier event.
World number one Wang fought off a courageous Persson, who at 42 has played in all six Olympics since table tennis was included, and was the last man standing against the Chinese wall.
Wang won 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9.
Wang, 24, now plays the winner of the second semi-final between teammates Wang Liqin and Ma Lin later Friday for his chance at his first gold medal in the event - after suffering a shock upset in the final in Athens.
The loss was disappointment for Persson, gunning for his first gold at probably his last Olympics, but he still has a chance to win bronze in the playoff later Friday, to take home his first Olympic medal.
The Swedish champion has powered on in Beijing while Europe's biggest and younger stars have fallen early from this tournament.
Wang edged out the 1991 world champion in the first two games, before Persson nudged ahead in the third -- Wang apparently rattled by an umpiring decision on whether the ball hit the table surface or edge during a point.
But Wang steadied in the fourth, winning some lengthy and spectacular rallies between the pair. Persson hung on in the fifth, levelling at 9-9, bringing roars from the Swedish supporters, before Wang edge him out.
- AFP/yb
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