Ma Long beats Lin Gaoyuan 11-8, 11-9, 11-8, 11-4

Focused, Ma Long was quick to seize the advantage; the opening game secured with a degree of authority. Success in the opening game for Ma Long, it was the same in the second, the points brief, serve, receive and first attack the crucial elements.

In the third game Ma Long established an 8-7 lead. He called “Time Out”; the benefit of hindsight underlined a wise move but one wondered if necessary. He won the next point, eventually won the game.

Stopping the Ma Long juggernaut, Lin Gaoyuan made errors as he tried to seize the opportunity. Trailing 2-5 in the fourth game, he elected for “Time Out”. Ma Long was now in total command, he won the next five points. At his third attempt, he secured victory.

Chen Meng beats Wang Manyu 11-5, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8

The more powerful player, Chen Meng secured the opening game. In the second, focusing her attacking play on many occasions towards the forehand of Wang Manyu, Chen Meng doubled her advantage.

Unusually when receiving service and playing a forehand top spin, Wang Manyu stand in a very square position, her feet parallel to the table.

Chen Meng secured the third game 11-5 after it had been parity at 4-all; in the fifth game she went ahead 5-4, Wang Manyu called “Time Out”. It was to prove to no avail; at 10-7 Chen Meng held three match points, she converted at the second attempt.

Thus Chen Meng underlined her liking for playing Wang Manyu in Budapest; earlier this year in January she beat Wang Manyu at the semi-final stage of the women’s singles event at the Seamaster 2019 ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open.

Response from Ding Ning

Ding Ning reflects on her defeat

“I think today Liu Shiwen did not enter into the match rhythm very quickly. Actually in the second game, I was behind but I dealt with some crucial points to take game two.

From Game three, Liu Shiwen made a lot high quality shots when both attacking and defending. Her speed was also super fast, which gave me a lot of pressure. I could not find solutions to counter her speed. I tried to accelerate but she came back with faster. She became more and more relaxed when the match entered into her rhythm.” Ding Ning

Liu Shiwen reflects

Success for Liu Shiwen, she gave her thoughts

“When I was 0-2 down, especially when I led in the second game but Ding Ning managed to come back, I felt I have no other way. I just focus point by point. First, there is a specific rule stating that we cannot play 11-0. Second, Ding Ning is a very strong player. I do not dare to relax even a little bit. Third, this is also a way to respect the opponent.” Ding Ning

Reign ends: Liu Shiwen beats Ding Ning 6-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-0, 11-2

Ding Ning made the better start; in the opening game she went ahead 5-1; it was a lead she never relinquished. She secured the game 11-6. In the second she trailed 6-9, before the determination shone through, five points in a row gave her a two games to nil lead. Stung Liu Shiwen established an early lead in the third game; this time the advantage was not relinquished; deficit down to one game.

Fast close to the table play; if they had turned the table the other way around and played across the arena there would have been enough space!

Positioning herself very much at the centre of the table to cover any angle Ding Ning may achieve wide to the forehand, Liu Shiwen captured the fourth game; parity.

A rhythm established, not an error in sight, Liu Shiwen created a sight never been seen before; in the fifth game Ding Ning did not win a single point! The momentum was with Liu Shiwen, her consistency remarkable.

In the sixth game Liu Shiwen made the better start, she went ahead 4-2, Ding Ning called “Time Out”. The break worked in favour of Liu Shiwen, she did not lose another point.

Unusually, Ding Ning rarely used her favoured tomahawk serving technique.

The reign of Ding Ning was over; a new name is set to be added to the name of the women’s singles title holders.

Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen start the day

Former Russian international and at the time the Netherlands’ coach, Elena Timina remarked “every girl who lays table tennis should watch the recording of that match”. It was the women’s singles final at the Qoros 2015 World Championships in Suzhou when at the start of the vital seventh game, Ding Ning twisted her ankle, took a 1o minute injury break and then showed two facets that made her the champion.

Virtually playing on one foot, she displayed immense character and vastly important, she adapted.

However, also do not forget in three consecutive ITTF World Tour Grand Finals, starting in 2011, Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen met in the women’s singles gold medal contest. On each occasion Liu Shiwen won

Action underway

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