PARIS, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- China's Fan Zhendong and Germany's Timo Boll set up their final duel at the 2018 ITTF Men's World Cup after triumphing over their respective compatriots here on Sunday.
World No. 1 Fan came back from one game down to see off Lin Gaoyuan 10-12, 12-10, 15-13, 11-7, 11-6, while Boll accounted for Dimitrij Ovtcharov in six games in the all-German semifinal.
Fan and Lin shared the recent two years' Asian Cup titles. After the Chinese duo tied at 10-all, Lin snatched two points in a row to take the initiative.
Fan found himself 7-2 down early in the second game, before making a timely adjustment to save three game points from Lin and tied the score at 10-all. Fan then sustained his momentum to snatch the next two points to level the match at 1-1.
In similar proceedings in the third game, Fan bounced back from 10-8 down to triumph in the tussle 15-13.
The top seed met less resistance in the following two games to seal his semifinal victory at 11-7, 11-6 through many high-quality smashes.
"We have played many times recently. I fared well today, especially in the second and third games," Fan pointed out.
"After leading in the first game, I turned over the ball several times. I managed to fight for every ball when I trailed in the second and third games. Winning these two games proved to be of much help for regrouping myself in the match," he added.
The 37-year-old Boll and defending champion Ovtcharov pleased the crowd in the Disney Events Arena with long rallies, before Boll won 12-14, 11-7, 15-13, 9-11, 13-11, 11-5.
Fan, the 2016 winner, will compete with the two-time champion Boll in the final later on Sunday. Lin will strive to make redemption against Ovtcharov in the bronze medal match.
"Boll has played pretty well at this tournament. I will try my best to compete with him. Hopefully I can display my level of play in the final," said Fan.
