ZAGREB - China has secured its first gold medal in the world table tennis championships by sweeping the final mixed doubles berths on Friday.

Ma Lin/Wang Nan routed Ko Lai Chak/Tie Yana from Hong Kong, China, 12-10, 11-6, 11-8, 11-4 to reach the final, while Wang Liqin/Guo Yue beat Qiu Yike/Cao Zhen in an all-Chinese semifinal 9-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-6, 11-3.

China has clean-swept five golds in last world championships