China's Wang Hao and Zhang Yining are driven to succeed, so it was little wonder that they each earned themselves a new car and US$38,000 by winning the men's and women's singles titles respectively at the Volkswagen Pro Tour Grand Finals yesterday. For Zhang, a double gold medallist at the Athens Olympics, it was particularly good timing as she has just passed her driving test. 'It's swell to win a car too and I can pick it up in Beijing,' said Zhang, who defeated compatriot Li Xiaoxia 4-3 in an entertaining final before a capacity crowd at Queen Elizabeth Stadium. 'I just got my drivers' licence and I would like to drive the car of course, although I don't exactly know what's the arrangement. But I am looking forward to driving it.' The world and Olympic champion almost gave it all away when she faced a 3-2 deficit in sets. But when Zhang was at her ruthless best, she was unstoppable, winning 9-11, 11-3, 11-2, 7-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7. Wang had it a bit easier as he made it five wins out of five in match-ups with South Korea's Oh Sang-eun in lifting the men's singles title - just a week after winning gold in singles at the Asian Games. Wang defeated Hou Yingchao, while Oh stopped top-ranked Chinese Ma Lin 4-3 in the semi-finals. Zhang booked her final berth by disposing of Singapore's Li Jiawei 4-1 in her semi-final. And despite skipping Doha in favour of training at home, she was still able to live up to her top billing. 'I took a bit of time warming up and I didn't really find my form until the last two sets. I had a tough match. I was tired from training,' said the 25-year-old. Asked what she will do with her prize money - even though the state will take most of her winnings - Zhang said she was unsure. 'I keep a dog at home and he's getting bigger and bigger. Perhaps I will go buy some clothes for him,' she said. 'I've promised [men's doubles winner] Ma Long that I would buy him a nice seafood dinner if I won. We might go celebrate by singing karaoke.' Li, who is ranked eighth on the Pro Tour circuit, was a surprise finalist, reaching the title game by defeating Spain's Shen Yanfei 4-2 (11-8, 11-7, 11-6, 10-12, 5-11, 11-8). While Zhang and Wang were happy with their new cars, Oh was kicking himself over a missed opportunity. 'I told my wife that I would bring her the car last night, but I lost. I think I am going to steal the key,' he joked. Meanwhile, Zhang teamed up with former world and Olympic champion Wang Nan to easily win the doubles, defeating the American-Spanish pair of Gao Jun and Shen Yanfei 4-1. Shuai Hao and Ma Long proved their semi-final win over Hong Kong's Li Ching and Ko Lai-chak was no fluke by shocking compatriots Chen Qi and Ma Lin, the Olympic champions, 4-3 in the men's doubles final.
