China's Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha defeated South Korean pair on Monday to set up a final clash against Ri Jong-sik and Kim Kum-yong of DPR Korea in the table tennis mixed doubles event at Paris 2024.

Wang Chuqin (C)/Sun Yingsha (L) of China react during the mixed doubles semifinal table tennis match against Lim Jonghoon/Shin Yubin of South Korea at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

The top-seeded Chinese duo, who won consecutive World Championships in 2021 and 2023, denied Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin of South Korea 4-2 in one hour and two minutes at the South Paris Arena 4 to reach the final.

The South Korean pair started well to build a 2-1 lead. However, Wang and Sun put on a fierce fightback from there, winning the next two sets to turn the tides. After tying 9-9 at the sixth, the Chinese paddlers scored two straight points, wrapping up the match 6-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-9.

Earlier on Monday, Ri Jong-sik and Kim Kum-yong of DPR Korea, who had surprisingly ousted second-seeded Japanese duo Tomokazu Harimoto and Hina Hayata on Saturday, endured a tough contest before managing a 4-3 win over Wong Chun-ting and Doo Hoi Kem from Hong Kong, China, securing the other final spot.

"We did what we prepared for. Our opponents did very well. This was a match we had a chance to win. In the end, we failed, but we gave it our all," 32-year-old Wong said after the match.

Liu Guodong, coach of Hong Kong's table tennis team, explained the difficulty of playing DPR Korea. "They don't come out to compete much, and they have a very unusual style of play, especially [using] long pimples on the bat."

Touching on their opponents' distinct style of play and equipment, Wong continued: "Using long pimples is very unusual, and it's very different from the smooth rubber we are used to. It's a different kind of spin, rhythm."

"We paid attention to this pair from the Olympic qualification event. We have put some attention to training for their style, particularly in preparing for long pimples. In terms of spin, I think we were able to handle it today, but probably could have done better in terms of speed," said 27-year-old Doo.

Discussing the final held Tuesday, Sun said: "This is going to be a match that's tougher than the matches before. We have never played them before, and the DPR Korea's team is known to be one that's very strong in terms of their fighting spirit."

"We have made some preparations to face their style of play, the long pimples they use. We will have a good rest and give it our all tomorrow," she added. 

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