By Paul Osborne

China have secured the double on the final day of the ITTF World Team Cup in Dubai ©Getty ImagesChina have secured the double at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Team Cup after continuing their dominant display in Dubai.

The strong favourites in both the men's and women's contest did not disappoint, winning 3-0 in each competition to continue their domination of the most coveted team tournament in world table tennis.

It is the seventh time the men have claimed the title and fifth in succession, while the women have now won the title on eight of the nine occasions it has been held.

The men have recorded 3-0 wins in every round of competition in Dubai and were not about to let that slip.

Wins for Fan Zhendong, Zhang Jike and Xin Xu ensured the comfortable scoreline, with their Austrian opponents, competing in the final for the first time, unable to trouble the exalted Chinese squad.

Fan gave China the early advantage after a stylish 11-3, 11-5, 11-8 victory against Daniel Habesohn, before Zhang overcame Robert Gardos 11-7, 12-10, 12-10 in the second.

Zhang then joined forces with Xu to wrap up the win with an 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 scoreline against Habesohn and Stefan Fegerl.

The result gave Fan a first gold medal at the World Cup, while Zhang and Xu move on par with Ma Long on four apiece.

Despite two tough opening encounters, China secured a 3-0 victory over North Korea to claim the women's title ©Getty ImagesDespite two tough opening encounters, China secured a 3-0 victory over North Korea to claim the women's title ©Getty Images



It was not such an easy route for China's women on the final day of competition in Dubai, with their 3-0 victory over North Korea hardly mirroring the hard-fought encounter.

In fact the opening two matches went right to the wire as Liu Shiwen staved off a brave recovery by Ri Mi-Gyong to record a 11-7, 11-4, 10-12, 9-11, 11-9 victory, before Zhu Yuling had to dig deep into her mental reserves to overcome the defensive skills of Ri Myong-Sun 7-11, 11-6, 9-11, 14-12, 11-5.

Despite their constant pressure, North Korea's failure to notch a point on the scoreboard finally took its toll, with the final doubles fixture proving more comfortable for Ding Ning and Shiwen as they overcame Kim Hye Song and Ri 11-2, 12-10, 11-9.

As with their male counterparts, China's victory in the final ensured a 3-0 scoreline in every contest at the World Team Cup, showing once again the complete dominance of China in the world of table tennis.

Li Xiaoxia was once again absent from the Chinese lineup in today's final with a knee injury side-lining her throughout the tournament.

Nevertheless, the world and Olympic champion cemented her position as the most decorated athlete at the World Cup as she moves up to five wins, while Ding and Shiwen move clear in second on four apiece.

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