Olympic champion Ma Lin will face world No. 3 Ma Long, both from China, in the semifinals of the 2008 ITTF table tennis Pro Tour Grand Finals after they defeated their opponents on Saturday.

The 28-year-old Ma achieved a hard victory by beating his teammate Chen Qi 4-3 (11-7, 8-11, 6-11, 2-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-8) in nearly two hours.

"It is a hard game," said Ma, who claimed the men's single title of the Beijing Olympics, adding "especially when I rallied at 2-3, but I change my strategy in the sixth set and it works."

Ma said he was now eyeing the London Olympic Games four years ago after achieved what he wanted in Beijing.

"Claiming the title of Beijing Olympics will give me great energy to go further, I wish I could maintain my form four years ago," said Ma.

In another matches also held between two Chinese players, Ma Long whitewashed Wang Liqin to book another semifinal berth with 11-1, 15-13, 11-4 and 11-3.

(Xinhua News Agency December 15, 2008)