PARIS, May 20: Zhang Jike sealed a remarkable hat-trick of major titles when he beat fellow Chinese Wang Hao 4-2 in the men’s final of the world championships at Bercy on Monday.

Zhang, who had already beaten Wang in the 2011 world championships final and the Olympic final last year, prevailed 11-7 11-8 6-11 14-12 5-11 11-7 on his first match point.

“It was a tough match,” the 25-year-old Zhang told French TV Channel L’Equipe 21 after running towards the stands to hug his parents in a rare display of emotion.

“I will try to make history. I have won all the titles already and I want to do it again,” he added, confirming he was looking to take part in the 2016 Olympic Games.

It is the fifth time in a row that the men’s singles title was won by a Chinese player since Austrian Werner Schlager was crowned in Paris in 2003.

Earlier on Monday, Li Xiaoxia, the women’s singles world and Olympic champion, won the doubles title with Guo Ye for the third time in succession.

On Sunday, Zhang reached the final after a ruthless dismissal of compatriot and world number one Xu Xin in the semi-finals as he whitewashed his top-ranked compatriot 11-8, 11-2, 11-9, 12-10.

Wang, meanwhile, brushed aside second-ranked Ma Long 11-9, 11-7, 11-3, 7-11, 12-14, 11-3 in the second all-Chinese semi-final.

Li claimed her maiden world championship title to complete a career grand slam after defeating compatriot Liu Shiwen in an enthralling final.

Runner-up to Ding Ning in 2011 and four years earlier to Guo Yue, Li went one step further in the French capital with an 11-8, 4-11, 11-7, 12-10, 6-11, 13-11 victory.

Liu appeared set to extend the match to a deciding game after saving two match points in the sixth game but Li would not be deterred, clinching the title at the third time of asking as Liu fired long.

“I won because of my really strong fighting spirit. Thanks to it I can control myself and calm down as well as play stronger when I need to,” said the 25-year-old Li.—Agencies