DaveR
01-02-2008, 03:07 PM
Wang Hao Clinches Men's Singles Title in Changsha.........................
The Men's Singles final at the Tournament of Champions in Changsha on Saturday 22nd December 2007 saw the two players who occupy the first two places on the current ITTF Men's World Ranking list in action.
Wang Hao and Ma Lin, both penhold grip players in an age when the majority of table tennis players adopt the shakehands grip faced each other.
Victory went to Wang Hao.
He won 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-13, 11-6.
Past Performances
Ma Lin and Wang Hao had faced each other in World Ranking events on fifteen previous occasions with the career balance and the 2007 balance being in favour of Ma Lin. He had won nine of the total duels whilst in 2007 he had succeeded in four of the six encounters.
Wang Hao had won at the Gorenje Slovenian Open and at the Panasonic China Open whilst Ma Lin had prevailed at the Liebherr World Champions, the Volkswagen Open China, the Liebherr French Open and one week ago in the final of the Men's Singles event at the Volkswagen Pro Tour Grand Finals.
Opening Game
It was Wang Hao who made the better start in the first game; he won the first four points before Ma Lin responded.
Ma Lin, in trying to attack quickly after the service had made errors whilst Wang Hao had been more consistent; Wang Hao maintained the advantage and established a 7-3 lead. Ma Lin reduced the arrears to 9-7 but he never levelled. The first game went to Wang Hao.
Second Game
Understandably both players tried to attack quickly after the service with Ma Lin on occasions serving long to the Wang Hao backhand in order to effect a deep return.
In the second game it was Ma Lin who seized the upper hand. He went ahead 6-4 but with an outrageous forehand flick when returning service and a stroke of fortune on the next point by gaining an edge, Wang Hao levelled.
The next four points were shared but then Ma Lin went ahead 10-8; Wang Hao saved the first game point but not the second. It was one game all.
Third Game
Brief points were the order of proceedings at the start of the third game with neither player able to establish an advantage.
Wang Hao went ahead 6-5 and then won the longest point of the game as he forced Ma Lin into blocking mode. Ma Lin recovered to 7-all but the next two points both went to Wang Hao and at 10-8 it was game point to Wang Hao.
Ma Lin saved the first game point but not the second. It was advantage Wang Hao
Fourth Game
The fourth game saw both players level at 6-all, the points were brief a fast attack the telling feature; the next two points both went the way of Wang Hao who at 9-7 had retained his two point advantage.
He won the next point and the next to secure the second game and was one away from gold.
Fifth Game
Determined, focused Wang Hao went ahead 4-2 in the fifth game with Ma Lin making mistakes as he took risks.
The more positive player, Wang Hao extended the lead to 5-3 but attacking quickly after the service Ma Lin levelled and then went ahead 6-5.
Making full use of the table, Wang Hao clinched the next point, Ma Lin called 'Time Out'. The break worked initially in favour of Wang Hao who won the next point. Ma Lin reduced the arrears to 8-7 and 9-8 before levelling at 9-all; then at 10-9 after a stupendous topspin rally he had game point.
Wang Hao saved. It was 10-all; then another thrilling rally, 11-10 to Ma Lin. It was sheer pandemonium in the hall. Wang Hao levelled, 11-all, then again game point for Ma Lin, this time converted. It was three games to two in favour of Wang Hao.
Sixth Game
Ma Lin attacked quickly in typical style at the start of the sixth game, Wang Hao responded with counter attacks that left his opponents stupefied.
Exciting table tennis, Wang Hao established a 5-3 lead, he maintained the two point advantage at 6-4 but then fearsome forehand topspins brought Ma Lin level.
The next four points went to Wang Hao with Ma Lin serving in the net at 6-9 down. It was match point, at the first attempt Wang Hao succeeded. He was the champion.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e215/basil2000/wang.jpg
Source ITTF News
The Men's Singles final at the Tournament of Champions in Changsha on Saturday 22nd December 2007 saw the two players who occupy the first two places on the current ITTF Men's World Ranking list in action.
Wang Hao and Ma Lin, both penhold grip players in an age when the majority of table tennis players adopt the shakehands grip faced each other.
Victory went to Wang Hao.
He won 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-13, 11-6.
Past Performances
Ma Lin and Wang Hao had faced each other in World Ranking events on fifteen previous occasions with the career balance and the 2007 balance being in favour of Ma Lin. He had won nine of the total duels whilst in 2007 he had succeeded in four of the six encounters.
Wang Hao had won at the Gorenje Slovenian Open and at the Panasonic China Open whilst Ma Lin had prevailed at the Liebherr World Champions, the Volkswagen Open China, the Liebherr French Open and one week ago in the final of the Men's Singles event at the Volkswagen Pro Tour Grand Finals.
Opening Game
It was Wang Hao who made the better start in the first game; he won the first four points before Ma Lin responded.
Ma Lin, in trying to attack quickly after the service had made errors whilst Wang Hao had been more consistent; Wang Hao maintained the advantage and established a 7-3 lead. Ma Lin reduced the arrears to 9-7 but he never levelled. The first game went to Wang Hao.
Second Game
Understandably both players tried to attack quickly after the service with Ma Lin on occasions serving long to the Wang Hao backhand in order to effect a deep return.
In the second game it was Ma Lin who seized the upper hand. He went ahead 6-4 but with an outrageous forehand flick when returning service and a stroke of fortune on the next point by gaining an edge, Wang Hao levelled.
The next four points were shared but then Ma Lin went ahead 10-8; Wang Hao saved the first game point but not the second. It was one game all.
Third Game
Brief points were the order of proceedings at the start of the third game with neither player able to establish an advantage.
Wang Hao went ahead 6-5 and then won the longest point of the game as he forced Ma Lin into blocking mode. Ma Lin recovered to 7-all but the next two points both went to Wang Hao and at 10-8 it was game point to Wang Hao.
Ma Lin saved the first game point but not the second. It was advantage Wang Hao
Fourth Game
The fourth game saw both players level at 6-all, the points were brief a fast attack the telling feature; the next two points both went the way of Wang Hao who at 9-7 had retained his two point advantage.
He won the next point and the next to secure the second game and was one away from gold.
Fifth Game
Determined, focused Wang Hao went ahead 4-2 in the fifth game with Ma Lin making mistakes as he took risks.
The more positive player, Wang Hao extended the lead to 5-3 but attacking quickly after the service Ma Lin levelled and then went ahead 6-5.
Making full use of the table, Wang Hao clinched the next point, Ma Lin called 'Time Out'. The break worked initially in favour of Wang Hao who won the next point. Ma Lin reduced the arrears to 8-7 and 9-8 before levelling at 9-all; then at 10-9 after a stupendous topspin rally he had game point.
Wang Hao saved. It was 10-all; then another thrilling rally, 11-10 to Ma Lin. It was sheer pandemonium in the hall. Wang Hao levelled, 11-all, then again game point for Ma Lin, this time converted. It was three games to two in favour of Wang Hao.
Sixth Game
Ma Lin attacked quickly in typical style at the start of the sixth game, Wang Hao responded with counter attacks that left his opponents stupefied.
Exciting table tennis, Wang Hao established a 5-3 lead, he maintained the two point advantage at 6-4 but then fearsome forehand topspins brought Ma Lin level.
The next four points went to Wang Hao with Ma Lin serving in the net at 6-9 down. It was match point, at the first attempt Wang Hao succeeded. He was the champion.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e215/basil2000/wang.jpg
Source ITTF News