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Bad quality video but a rare recording of an enlightening match. Ma Long was reaching his peak (was ranked 1 for most of 2010-2012) and Waldner was last competitive in 2006 after declining from 1997 to 2001 before surprising everyone in the Olympics in 2004.
Check out 2:21, 2:42, 3:59 and 4:06 for some trademark blocks. I felt that Waldner came out looking better than most of the world against Ma Long .
Waldner and Ma Long seem to have a lot of similarities in terms of technique. Kong Linghui was trained to play similarly to Waldner and Ma Long is like KLH version 2. Both Waldner and Ma Long serve pretty similarly as well and have similar looking forehands. The video below shows Waldner in the WTTC between 1987 and 2001. From 9:12 onwards till 1997, Waldner plays like a less athletic Ma Long with a weaker backhand.
Waldner even said in an interview that he had problems with players with strong backhands. ML is challenged the most against ZJK and FZD but he doesn't struggle as much against Xu Xin or Timo Boll.
In terms of temperament, Waldner is much more similar to ZJK though
Check out 2:21, 2:42, 3:59 and 4:06 for some trademark blocks. I felt that Waldner came out looking better than most of the world against Ma Long .
Waldner and Ma Long seem to have a lot of similarities in terms of technique. Kong Linghui was trained to play similarly to Waldner and Ma Long is like KLH version 2. Both Waldner and Ma Long serve pretty similarly as well and have similar looking forehands. The video below shows Waldner in the WTTC between 1987 and 2001. From 9:12 onwards till 1997, Waldner plays like a less athletic Ma Long with a weaker backhand.
Waldner even said in an interview that he had problems with players with strong backhands. ML is challenged the most against ZJK and FZD but he doesn't struggle as much against Xu Xin or Timo Boll.
In terms of temperament, Waldner is much more similar to ZJK though