Ma Long wins the Volkswagen 2009 Tournament of Champions
December 20, 2009
Ma Long is the successor of Wang Hao. China’s 21 year old, world no.2, won the final of the Volkswagen 2009 Tournament of Champions in five games against Germany’s Timo Boll.
Boll was not without chance against the player considered as the best in the world. However, the German missed his chances in the close games and in the crucial moments.
Boll’s Hesitation Punished
Timo Boll underlined his position as China’s most dangerous threat. The 28 year old showed a strong performance in the final again. In the close moments, however, he did not risk enough and Ma Long punished him coldblooded.
The first, the second and the fourth games were all won with 11 to 9 points by Ma Long.
Ma Long Crowns his almost Perfect Season
In 2009, Ma Long won among others four Single titles on the ITTF Pro Tour and is the leader in the Pro Tour standings. He was awarded four gold medals at the Asian Championships, two medals at the World Championships, and is the most successful player in the Chinese Super League.
In January, the Pro Tour Grand Finals will be the very last event belonging to the table tennis calendar 2009. Ma Long is title holder and it seems only a question of time until he takes the first position in the ITTF World ranking.
Source: www.ittf.com
