China Smash 2024, Beijing, 9/26-10/6

[Robin0910]

How’s Ma Long’s footwork still this good at almost 36? He can play for another few years without a doubt

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

How’s Ma Long’s footwork still this good at almost 36? He can play for another few years without a doubt

Yep
Table tennis is always about ability and not age.
if you good enough to dominate, you are good enough, period.

This is why table tennis is one of the most unique ball sports in the world, put a 8 year old, 18 year old, 28 year old, 68 year old, 78 year old into a tournament and any one of them could be the winner.

lets hope Ma Long has the energy to stay on, he sure has the ability and while doing so, breaking CNT traditions (retiring players while they still good enough). you see, they are taught to "retire" for the greater good of the team. hence that is why zeio and those chinese netizens thinks is okay to keep demanding other countries to do the same.

Table tennis is an individual sport. I prefer - beat them to retire them, then, retire for the country (its 2024....).

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

so while CNT A team is in Smash
CNT B team is almost totally knocked out in Doha feeder
total of 8 mens and 8 womens took part, only 1 player left in QF (womens

 

[AutomaticBackhand]

Ma Long misreading the calender like it's 2014 instead of 2024.

 

[NextLevel]

Ma Long is using speed glue or something,...

 

[rpb23]

Yep
Table tennis is always about ability and not age.
if you good enough to dominate, you are good enough, period.

This is why table tennis is one of the most unique ball sports in the world, put a 8 year old, 18 year old, 28 year old, 68 year old, 78 year old into a tournament and any one of them could be the winner.

lets hope Ma Long has the energy to stay on, he sure has the ability and while doing so, breaking CNT traditions (retiring players why they still good enough)

You are stretching. 28 years old, maybe 38 years old, but no way 48 years old or above can compete at pro level, let alone at world class level.
Even Ma Long at his current level, I doubt we will see him still active at the highest pro level at 38 year old, and he is already extremely exceptional at playing high level at advanced table tennis age.

Table tennis is a highly tech heavy sport, but it also requires explosiveness and speed which are characteristic of youth.

 

[dingyibvs]

Look at the winner at the end of the 3rd set, went for placement instead of power and LJK is left not even near the ball. XP needs to learn that. He's technically there already after improving his BH, just needs to improve his tactics.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

You are stretching. 28 years old, maybe 38 years old, but no way 48 years old or above can compete at pro level, let alone at world class level.
Even Ma Long at his current level, I doubt we will see him still active at the highest pro level at 38 year old, and he is already extremely exceptional at playing high level at advanced table tennis age.

Table tennis is a highly tech heavy sport, but it also requires explosiveness and speed which are characteristic of youth.

I'm not talking pro level
find a random club any where on this planet and put those ages together, you can't really say who will win.
This is even applicable to China's amateur circuit. This uncles in the clubs or parks. Don't allow the grey hair fool you.

from Pros put of view, there are a couple of 48 years old in the European leagues
put them against CNT B team, 15~18 year olds for example, I think the 48 would still win (especially looking how CNT B are failing in Doha).

 

[AutomaticBackhand]

 

[Robin0910]

Didn’t think I’d be this one-sided After their last WTT encounter. Nicely done!

 

[dingyibvs]

Damn ML, that rest after the Olympics really did some good. Does he still have enough in the tank to go a best-of-7 against LSD?

Why didn't LJK call a timeout, especially when he had game point in the 4th set? What was he saving it for?

 

[travelt123]

This guy, Ma Long, better start looking for other avenues to play matches like the Super League and/or the Euro leagues. He is someone who needs to play more matches and show his expertise and cannot be forced to “retire” and fade away unless he wants to do so.

 

[rpb23]

How’s Ma Long’s footwork still this good at almost 36? He can play for another few years without a doubt

The reason I picked Ma to win it all this time is the way he has been playing in this event. I don't care he is 0/16 in WTT events. Couple months ago, I won't pick him. What I see in this Smash, is a fresh, energetic and motivated Ma Long. Don't forget, his two boys are sitting nearby cheering their dad, that should be an extra drive for him to win it all.

Did I say Ma Long use to handle LJK with ease? Now, 4:0, a clear swept.

Only LSD can pose a threat to ML. However, a motivated ML is very hard to stop.

 

[dingyibvs]

Stop the cap Ma Long, you’re being too humble. What we can deduct is to always see yourself as the underdog, stay relaxed and play your game

Lol, it's really amazing to see how he's transformed over the years. You see the variations in his game and his personality now, but I remember the days when people called him a Chinese robot

 

[blahness]

Damn ML, that rest after the Olympics really did some good. Does he still have enough in the tank to go a best-of-7 against LSD?

Why didn't LJK call a timeout, especially when he had game point in the 4th set? What was he saving it for?

When Ma Long is looking so fresh and motivated like he is for this tournament, he is pretty hard to stop.

Guy is just the most complete player with barely any weakness, knows how to play every single shot in the game (yes even BH-BH and BH chiquita with all its variations).

LJK is just worse at almost everything except maybe BH power and spin levels, and that's usually not enough to win against Ma Long. You really need to overpower him on both wings, be faster and exploit his wide FH with high quality BH feints to win these days like what FZD has done.

Tbh, without serve/receive tricks from WCQ, Ma Long is still a better player than WCQ. I would place Ma Long second to only FZD (at this point in time) generally.

 

[FIXPOINT]

China Smash 2024 MS SF

 

[Robin0910]

I feel like Ma Long is gonna win tomorrow in a tight match. If he wins he will prove the CNT leadership that he’s still reliable and is good to go for the time being, don’t need to forcefully retire him. I think even if not primarily, deep down there that’s his motive.

 

[blahness]

The reason I picked Ma to win it all this time is the way he has been playing in this event. I don't care he is 0/16 in WTT events. Couple months ago, I won't pick him. What I see in this Smash, is a fresh, energetic and motivated Ma Long. Don't forget, his two boys are sitting nearby cheering their dad, that should be an extra drive for him to win it all.

Did I say Ma Long use to handle LJK with ease? Now, 4:0, a clear swept.

Only LSD can pose a threat to ML. However, a motivated ML is very hard to stop.

Yep, LJK plays a bit too much like ZJK - too much late timing spin oriented balls which can trouble other players but not Ma Long. This is why they seldom win against Ma Long.

To win against Ma Long you generally need to outpower and outspeed him while maintaining very good consistency, which is why Harimoto and Lin Yun Ju actually have relatively more wins against Ma Long...

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

The reason I picked Ma to win it all this time is the way he has been playing in this event. I don't care he is 0/16 in WTT events. Couple months ago, I won't pick him. What I see in this Smash, is a fresh, energetic and motivated Ma Long. Don't forget, his two boys are sitting nearby cheering their dad, that should be an extra drive for him to win it all.

Did I say Ma Long use to handle LJK with ease? Now, 4:0, a clear swept.

Only LSD can pose a threat to ML. However, a motivated ML is very hard to stop.

this shows you how important it is to have ample rest in this crowded 2024 schedule.

with proper schedule management, players can peak at the right time.

Now lets look at all those burned out ones, and see if it will make them better.

however, can't take the fact away that Ma Long is still one of the best players in CNT today, and possibly for another few years

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

I feel like Ma Long is gonna win tomorrow in a tight match. If he wins he will prove the CNT leadership that he’s still reliable and is good to go for the time being, don’t need to forcefully retire him. I think even if not primarily, deep down there that’s his motive.

lets hope Ma Long can beat the 30-40 year long tradition (or rather control on the players)
then he will be the untouchable GOAT, since he beat CNT/CTTA, no one has done that