Wang Hao

World No. 1 Wang Hao of China overcame a slow start to claim a five-set victory over Ryu Seung Min of Republic of Korea on Friday at the ITTF Pro Tour Finals to keep a near perfect record against the Olympic champion.

The 24-year-old Wang, who overran fellow Chinese Ma Lin in October to reign the world rankings but was just seeded the second in the table tennis year-ending event with a less glorious Pro Tour standing, won the Athens Olympic final rematch 9-11, 11-1, 11-7, 11-9, 11-3.

In their previous match-ups, Wang had won fourteen of their fifteen encounters before Friday's first round match of the year-ending tournament, also a "Good Luck Beijing" Sports Event held in the Olympic table tennis venue, the just completed Beijing University Gymnasium.

Ryu Seung Min