LGL already commented that ML plays shakehand with a heart of penholder. It is more about first three strokes, touch game and control style. Restrict opponent and avoid getting into topspin rallies too much, too early. Even for shakehanders, in general CNT are better at first three strokes than others, and Asians better than Europeans. So that's why CNT often praises a non CNT player especially an European plays like CNT if he has good first three strokes. And it makes sense to avoid getting into topspin rallies all the time for a shorter/less muscular player. It's interesting that ML is called topspin machine outside CNT but he is regarded physically "weak" in CNT. He just employs the most effective way to exert full body strength to make powerful FH topspin and he is better at counter loop (LGL thinks the best two at counter loop in CNT are ML and KLH). His footwork is trained to do so, which is totally different from BH oriented play. It is too late for him to change, and not necessary.
HT already played a lot of short touch games rather than banana everything in the semi. Very few rallies in the first two games, most points were done in first three strokes. That's good strategy. 1. In recent matches, LJK and FZD's powerful banana didn't work that well with ML. It worked better quick down the line or at wide angle. 2. HT is closer to table and fast in short game. He can improve his FH topspin as he is growing up physically. But similar to FZD who already has very strong FH, the BH oriented footwork is pretty much fixed, there will be a limit for the footwork to allow them to make the desired FH topspin when needed. But again, one doesn't have to be best on individual technique. It is better to master more techniques at high level and use them more strategically. It is more important to beat different players rather than beat ML (there is no such beating ML trophy).
It's probably the best bh in the world now. 
