The twelve month reign of Ma Lin came to an end on the afternoon of Sunday 14th December 2008. At the semi-final stage of the Men’s Singles event at the Volkswagen Pro Grand Finals in Macau, the man who had captured the title in Beijing in December 2007 was beaten by Chinese national team compatriot Ma Long.
Ma Long beat Ma Lin in five games whilst in the counterpart semi-final, Wang Hao accounted for Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus in four straight games; a contest in which he underlined his no.1 world ranking.
Wang Hao succeeded 11-9, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 whilst earlier in the afternoon Ma Long had won 13-15, 11-3, 11-7, 12-10, 11-5.
Both results were very much as history predicted.
Ranking Counted for Nought
Olympic champion and the higher world ranked player but in contests against Ma Long, it was the latter who had the better record when the two stars had met in international competition.
Ma Long had won five of their eight meeting including their most recent; he had succeeded earlier in the year in June at the Volkswagen Open Korea in the final and in fact of the most recent four meetings he had won three; the one win for Ma Lin being one year ago in Beijing in the Men’s Singles event at the Volkswagen Pro Tour Grand Finals.
A notable win, Ma Lin proceeded to capture the title.
Not Happy Reading
However, the record of Vladimir Samsonov against Wang Hao did not make happy reading for the fans of the Belarus star.
He had won only one of their seven encounters but he could take heart from the one success; it was in their most recent duel when at the quarter-final stage of the Men’s Singles event at the Salwa Cup Kuwait Open he had recorded a five games win.
Similar to Ma Lin, he had proceeded to win the title.
Strange Affair
The opening game in the duel between Ma Lin and Ma Long was a strange affair. Ma Long made the better start, he won the first four points before Ma Lin responded to win the next seven!
Eventually the two were locked in combat at 10-all with both players winning the point on the service before eventually the pattern was broken at 15-13 in favour of Ma Lin.
Found Rhythm
Throughout the first game Ma Long had found it difficult to find a rhythm to his play but gradually he found that rhythm. He dominated the next two games, won a close fourth game and then accelerated into to top gear to secure the fifth.
Top Gear
Meanwhile, Wang Hao was in top gear from the green light. He never allowed Vladimir Samsonov settle into his fluent style of play.
Wang Hao was simply to fast with his footwork, too accurate with his attacks and too deft over the table.
Final Again
The defeat in Kuwait was avenged in awesome style; as twelve months earlier Wang Hao ws in the Volkswagen Pro Tour Grand Finals.
In Beijing in December 2007, the adversary was Ma Lin, in 2008 it is Ma Long.
Source: www.ittf.com
