Ma Lin loosing sheen? China Open 2012: Oh Sang Eun-Ma Lin

[blizzardz]

After watching this match, i am pretty disappointed, as was after watching the match with Kirill

Photo by: beijing2008.cn

1. Is it the age factor which is causing Ma Lin to fail so badly?
2. Is Penhold actually losing out in this fast game? Is shakehand the future?

#2 is troubling me more as i am myself a passionate penholder.

 

[azlan]

I think it's a bit of both. My coach changed my grip to handshake from penhold saying handshake is the way to go. Penhold also requires excellent footwork. But mostly, I think Ma Lin came in into the match thinking that it's gonna be a walk in the park. If age is a factor, Oh is not exactly young, is he?

These two had so many battles over the years, and they know each others game so well. Though Ma Lin has a better win lost against Oh, Ma Lin style of game requires more movement and energy sapping, while Oh's is more economical.

 

[strangeloop]

For #2, Xu Xin won the tournament and he's not a shakehander. Every style has its own pros and cons. What matters in the end is the matchups... On this day, Ma Lin's game and tactics didn't match up to Oh's. That's all I guess.. don't try reading too much into it.

 

[YosuaYosan]

Power to the underdogs!

I think its not really about age as stated by Sir Az.

Its just the style imo. While Oh still could emanate his style of play well in his mid 30's, Ma's style is much more energy-consuming thus it is harder for him to play all out as time passes by.
Probably this could be explained by Xu Xin winning against Oh 4-0 in the next match and ultimately won the 2012 China Open.

 

[YaoXiong]

On a good day, Wang Hao can beat anyone, and his RPB has proven shakehand backhand isn't in a different league. Maybe he has lost passion as not going Olympics and stuff, just like Wang liqin isn't the best anymore, but thats got nothing to go with him being shakehand grip

 

[TT Guru]

Regarding this match in particular, Ma Lin was heavily affected by the point at 9-9 in the first game. He claims the ball touched Oh's shirt during the rally, but the point was given to Oh, who then won the next point & first game.
This distraction gave Oh confidence, and it took Ma Lin a while to catch up.
Really a world class player like Ma Lin should be more capable of getting over such obstacles, he would usually beat Oh fairly easily.
After he recovered against match points in the 5th, and won that game, I thought he would win the match actually.

Just goes to show how tricky it is to predict match outcomes sometimes.

 

[azlan]

On a good day, Wang Hao can beat anyone, and his RPB has proven shakehand backhand isn't in a different league. Maybe he has lost passion as not going Olympics and stuff, just like Wang liqin isn't the best anymore, but thats got nothing to go with him being shakehand grip

How did Wang Hao ever gotten into the discussion? hahaha

 

[Michal_Z]

For #2, Xu Xin won the tournament and he's not a shakehander. Every style has its own pros and cons. What matters in the end is the matchups... On this day, Ma Lin's game and tactics didn't match up to Oh's. That's all I guess.. don't try reading too much into it.

That is correct, but Xu Xin is not fat and is moving well..
That is difference..

 

[fongchengloy]

Age is definitely one of the factor. Look at Ryu SeongMin, his form is no better of since 2004 Olympics even though he is younger than Ma Lin. This goes to Wang Hao as well where he has not win any major title the last few months.

 

[YaoXiong]

Just using Wang Hao as an example for why penhold isn't finished for

 

[azlan]

Just using Wang Hao as an example for why penhold isn't finished for

Ahhh I see...I think there is a future for penholders. I especially like the traditional pen where they use the same side for FH and BH, no RPB. Their game play are totally different from the handshake, a lot of close to the table power blocks and amazing footwork.

 

[YosuaYosan]

In my opinion traditional penhold will evolve into RPB to adapt to the modern game.
Probably not everyone will but definitely over 90% penholders will.
Even seniors at my table tennis clubs have learned how to play RPB and more traditional penholders are following!

RPB has everything you need to cover your backhand's weakness.
Now how is that for an ad

 

[ttmedari]

In my opinion traditional penhold will evolve into RPB to adapt to the modern game.
Probably not everyone will but definitely over 90% penholders will.
Even seniors at my table tennis clubs have learned how to play RPB and more traditional penholders are following!

RPB has everything you need to cover your backhand's weakness.
Now how is that for an ad

I agree..
By the way, just compare Xu and Ma vs Oh Sang Eun. There is a big different on aggressiveness

 

[DialecticBrown]

I watched an interview of Oh Sang Eun after this match, and he said that Ma Lin looked very tired and so Oh took advantage of that.
Or maybe Ma Lin's discouraged a little bit since he didn't make it on the Olympic roster? Nevertheless, I still love studying his game.