ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AFP) — China’s Ding Ning won the world championships women’s singles title yesterday while German veteran Timo Boll prevented a Chinese sweep of the men’s semi-finals places.

Ding, the 20-year-old third seed, defeated compatriot, and top seed, Li Xiaoxia 4-2 (12-10, 13-11, 11-9, 8-11, 8-11, 11-7) to take the title for the first time.

Boll Chinese ninth seed Chen Qi 4-1 (11-5, 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-3) to make the men’s semi-finals.

Boll, the world number two, will face third seed Zhang Jike in Sunday’s semi-final while world number one Wang Hao tackles fifth-seeded compatriot Ma Long.

Results

Women’s final

Ding Ning (CHN x3) bt Li Xiaoxia (CHN x1) 4-2 (12-10, 13-11, 11-9, 8-11, 8-11, 11-7)

Men’s quarter-finals

Wang Hao (CHN x1) bt Jun Mizutani (JPN x7) 4-0 (11-5, 11-7, 11-5, 11-6)

Ma Long (CHN x5) bt Ma Lin (CHN x4) 4-1 (11-5, 11-9, 11-4, 4-11, 11-7)

Zhang Jike (CHN x3) bt Wang Liqin (CHN x12) 4-2 (11-9, 7-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7)

Timo Boll (GER x2) bt Chen Qi (CHN x9) 4-1 (11-5, 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-3).