A reborn Ma Long, 35, against the tour’s most in-form player, Lin Shidong, 19, who has won the last two tournaments on the world tour. It looked one-sided as the speedy Lin swept Ma Long in the first set, winning it 11-4.
However, Ma Long found a way into the match and was able to go up 3-1 in the set, trailing 15-13 in the fourth set where he saved four set points.
However, it took a toll and a completely exhausted Ma Long lost sets five and six clearly and seemed calculated when it came time for the tiebreaker at 3-3. Ma Long then looked to be heading for a turnaround again and led 8-4 before the break. It really was a dead end.
– He does the unthinkable, says the commentator after the match ball.
“Performed beyond my expectations”
– It was a great comeback victory for him. I don’t see it as a failure for me but as long as I can play at this level it is a success and I have played beyond my expectations in this tournament, said Ma Long, the best table tennis player of all time with six Olympic golds and 14 World Cups -gold, to the organizer.
He appreciated being close to the packed hall.
– It is a memorable moment. I have enjoyed playing table tennis in my hometown Beijing. I can leave this arena with a big smile on my face.
“Ma Long deserves all the applause”
The super talent Lin Shidong had to find himself in the shadows after knocking over the icon in front of the eyes of, among others, the president of the International Table Tennis Association, the Swede Petra Sörling.
– We played a fantastic match and Ma Long deserves all the applause. I worked my way into the match focusing point by point and never gave up, said Lin after the third straight tournament victory.