Ma Long wins 2009 ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals
January 10, 2010
History was made when Ma Long won the final point against his compatriot Xu Xin, to secure the Men’s Singles title at the ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals in Macau on Sunday 10th January 2010.
Earlier in the evening, Guo Yan had won the Women’s Singles crown and in so doing retained her title
In December 2008, Ma Long had been in devastating form to win the Men’s Singles crown.
If he could beat Xu Xin, not only would he retain his title but for the first time in the 14 year history of the ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals, both Men’s and Women’s Singles titles would be retained.
Emulated Wang Liqin
Ma Long had to recover from a two games to one deficit to create the moment of history but eventually he succeeded.
He won 11-9, 7-11, 5-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-2 and in so doing emulated the feat of colleague Wang Liqin, who is the only other player to have won the Men’s Singles crown at the ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals.
Wang Liqin won in 1998 in the French capital city of Paris and in 2000 in the Japanese city of Kobe.
Previous Duels
Certainly the odds prior to the contest were in favour of Ma Long but only short odds.
The pair had met on four previous occasions in world ranking events and Ma Long had won on three occasions; the one reverse being in February 2009 when after winning the Men’s Singler title at the Salwa Cup Kuwait Open, he was beaten by Xu Xin in seven games in round two at the Qatar Open.
Victories
It was a close seven games contest but that is the only contest at international level between Ma Long and Xu Xin that has gone the full distance.
In January 2009, Ma Long won in four straight games in round two of the Men’s Singles event at the Danish Open, then in November he succeeded in five games at the-final stage of the Men’s Singles event at the English Open and then in the same round at the Asian Championships in Lucknow.
Xu Xin in Form
Ma Long may well have started proceedings as the favourite but it was Xu Xin who established a two games to one lead with his close to the table play outstanding and his forehand dynamic.
However, from the end of the third game to the end of the match, the situation totally changed.
Dominant
Ma Long attacked superbly over the table, he gave Xu Xin no time to react and surrender a grand total of only 10 more points!
At the end of the third game a sequel to Guo Yan versus Ding Ning was anticipated; it did not happen. Ma Long was not in Macao to give an exhibition. He was there to win.
Top Place Endorsed
In devastating style he won and in so doing underlined his status in the sport of table tennis; ranked no.1 on the ITTF Men’s Ranking list he endorsed his right to that position and to possessing the acclimation of being currently the best player in the world.
Once again the name on the roll of honour was Ma Long, the victory was well deserved, he was superb.
Source: www.ittf.com
