Reigning champion Zhang Jike remained on course to defend his title at the World Table Tennis Championships in Paris on Sunday after shrugging off Germany's Patrick Baum to reach the semifinals.

Fourth seed Zhang recovered from a sluggish start to down Baum 9-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-2, 11-3 and ensure, just like in the women's draw, a Chinese sweep of all four singles medals.

Top-ranked Xu Xin was given a real scare by Japan's Kenta Matsudaira before he eventually prevailed 11-8, 9-11, 6-11, 14-12, 11-5, 11-8.

Second seed Ma Long beat top European hope Timo Boll of Germany 11-4, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9. It was his 10th win in 13 meetings with Boll.

The 2009 champion Wang Hao awaits Ma in the last four after the third seed edged past Yan An 8-11, 11-9, 11-6, 12-14, 11-8, 11-2 in an all-Chinese affair.