China were dominant winners of the men's team table tennis Olympic gold ©Getty Images

China cruised to a predictable Olympic gold medal in the men's team table tennis competition as they beat Germany 3-0 in the Tokyo 2020 final.

The sport's dominant force have won every men's team gold since the concept was launched at Beijing 2008 and never looked like letting their crown slip here.

Ma Long and Xu Xin gave the Chinese the perfect start in the opening doubles game as they saw off Timo Boll and Patrick Franziska in straight games, 11-7, 11-3, 11-9.

World number one Fan Zhendong was given a much sterner examination by Dimitrij Ovtcharov in the first singles contest, but still came through in five games after a shaky start, 3-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3.

Ovtcharov, who won singles bronze here behind Ma and Fan, could have made it interesting with a win but he fell apart in the fifth game.

It meant Ma could seal the title with a win against Boll and he duly delivered in four games, 11-5, 11-9, 11-13, 11-7.

Boll saved three match points before winning game three but it simply delayed the inevitable.

Ma has now won the singles and team double for the second Olympic Games in a row, and has five golds in all after winning the team crown at London 2012.

Ma Long has done the singles and team double for two consecutive Olympic Games ©Getty Images
Ma Long has done the singles and team double for two consecutive Olympic Games ©Getty Images

Xu has added to his team title from Rio 2016 and his mixed doubles silver here, while Fan has won his maiden Olympic gold after his silver behind Ma here in the singles.

"For us to achieve this success, it's just like the photo we just took," said Ma.

"There are so many people behind us - a whole team.

"China has the best and the most people behind the scenes and this is the reason we have been able to maintain our standards."

The Chinese won all of their matches in the tournament 3-0.

"I feel calm, nothing too complicated or particularly happy," said Xu.

"The entire process was beautiful and worthy of remembering.

"We also met some difficulties. 

"Given the change in the team format, there is more emphasis on the doubles match now.

"The importance of this point has risen a notch or two. 

"Sometimes in doubles when you're not playing well there's a tendency to rely on your partner and that's not good.

"So in this department I think Ma and I did well. 

"We are not over reliant on one another. 

"We dare to attack and trust each other."

Hosts Japan beat South Korea 3-1 to win bronze.