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World number 1 Ma Long secured himself a place in the Hungarian Open World Tour 2012 men's singles final today as he disposed compatriot Xu Xin by 4 games to 3!
Photo by: sportinglife.com
Ma Long defeated Xu Xin by 4 games to 3 with scores: 11-3,11-9,10-12,7-11,7-11,11-9,11-9
Ma Long had an epic thriller in the quarter final as he defeated Chen Qi by 4 games to 3. Things did not get any easier for Ma long as he progressed into the semi's.
In the first set of the semi final match up, Ma Long flew out the blocks and demolished the World number 5 by 11 points to 3.
The second set Xu Xin took a 9-5 lead with some incredible short game play with his reverse penhold moves! However, Ma Long stole the set 11-9 with some superb counter top spins!
In the third set Xu Xin managed to change the momentum of the match. With the use of his footwork he managed to save a set point which was in favour of Ma Long. Ma Long countered the ball wide to Xu Xin's forehand and Xu curled the ball back into the table forcing the World number 1 to miss! Xu Xin won the next two points to win the set 12-10.
In the fourth set of the match Xu Xin carried on his momentum. Xu piled the pressure on Ma Long which forced the World number 1 to make unforced errors. Xu raced into an 8-4 lead with an incredible reverse penhold backhand to win the next point! Ma did not hold back, with the use of some amazing high toss serves he managed to pull the set back. Xu Xin kept his nerve and with extraordinary footwork won him the set 11-7! Xu Xin's footwork is tremendous!
The match now tied at 2-2 in the Hungarian Open World Tour! Strong forehand topspins from both players made this game extremely exciting for the spectators. Ma Long seemed to up the tempo in the third set and raced into a 5-1 lead. However, Xu Xin was producing counter top spins from out of the this World, three in a row as Xu Xin took the set into a 7-5 lead. Xin maintained this exceptional performance and won the set 11-7!
Xu Xin now in a 3 set to 2 lead he now had it all to play for! The players really upped the ante as most of the rallies were 6 shots or more! Xu Xin went ahead into a 3-2 lead with a reverse penhold chop which is not often seen in the World of table tennis! Ma Long under lots of pressure levelled the score line as the World number 1 produced an unbelievable backhand top spin winner from the backs of the court! The spectators were now jumping out of their seats as both players were producing high quality table tennis!
Ma Long now trailed at 8-6 in the sixth set, however produced a superb winning forehand counter. Ma Long now levelled the game at 8-8. Long then led 10-8 with some supreme backhands. The next rally had everyone going insane in Budapest! Incredible topspins from both players with some shots making their way around the net saw Xu Xin win the point! Ma Long fought back and made use of his disguised serves to create an easy ball to attack to Xu Xin’s middle. Ma Long won the sixth set 11-9.
Both players in the seventh set had it all to play for now! Who can maintain the pressure and produce their best table tennis the spectators ask.
Xu Xin took a time out as he trailed 4-1. Ma Long now in perfect composer and now executing his tactics perfectly by aggressively top spinning into Xu. Long caught the edge of the table with fortunate luck as the set reached the half way stage at 5-2. Ma Long took a 6-3 lead by exposing Xu Xin’s wide forehand! Ma Long’s tactics were now working perfectly!
At a crucial stage in the match Xu Xin serves into the net to give the World number 1 a 7-4 lead.
Both players now both away from the table top spinning with their all. Xu Xin won the point, however trailed at 6-9. A phonominal flick from Xu Xin put the score line to 9-7. An incredible forehand from the backhand side by Xu Xin made the score 9-8! Again Xu Xin produced a World winning shot with a counter backhand top spin which levelled the seventh set at 9-9!
At 9-9, Ma Long made a fantastic short touch to give him match point! A second wonderful return from Ma Long made Xu Xin make another error! Ma Long screams out in excitement as he wins the set 11-9 and now progressed into the final of the Hungarian Open Men’s Singles final 2012!
Ma Long will now play either Joo Se Hyuk or Adrian Crisan in the final at 15:45pm GMT – 21/01/2012. The second semi final now begins between Joo Se Hyuk and Adrian Crisan! Watch it live now
TableTennisDaily
Photo by: sportinglife.com
Ma Long defeated Xu Xin by 4 games to 3 with scores: 11-3,11-9,10-12,7-11,7-11,11-9,11-9
Ma Long had an epic thriller in the quarter final as he defeated Chen Qi by 4 games to 3. Things did not get any easier for Ma long as he progressed into the semi's.
In the first set of the semi final match up, Ma Long flew out the blocks and demolished the World number 5 by 11 points to 3.
The second set Xu Xin took a 9-5 lead with some incredible short game play with his reverse penhold moves! However, Ma Long stole the set 11-9 with some superb counter top spins!
In the third set Xu Xin managed to change the momentum of the match. With the use of his footwork he managed to save a set point which was in favour of Ma Long. Ma Long countered the ball wide to Xu Xin's forehand and Xu curled the ball back into the table forcing the World number 1 to miss! Xu Xin won the next two points to win the set 12-10.
In the fourth set of the match Xu Xin carried on his momentum. Xu piled the pressure on Ma Long which forced the World number 1 to make unforced errors. Xu raced into an 8-4 lead with an incredible reverse penhold backhand to win the next point! Ma did not hold back, with the use of some amazing high toss serves he managed to pull the set back. Xu Xin kept his nerve and with extraordinary footwork won him the set 11-7! Xu Xin's footwork is tremendous!
The match now tied at 2-2 in the Hungarian Open World Tour! Strong forehand topspins from both players made this game extremely exciting for the spectators. Ma Long seemed to up the tempo in the third set and raced into a 5-1 lead. However, Xu Xin was producing counter top spins from out of the this World, three in a row as Xu Xin took the set into a 7-5 lead. Xin maintained this exceptional performance and won the set 11-7!
Xu Xin now in a 3 set to 2 lead he now had it all to play for! The players really upped the ante as most of the rallies were 6 shots or more! Xu Xin went ahead into a 3-2 lead with a reverse penhold chop which is not often seen in the World of table tennis! Ma Long under lots of pressure levelled the score line as the World number 1 produced an unbelievable backhand top spin winner from the backs of the court! The spectators were now jumping out of their seats as both players were producing high quality table tennis!
Ma Long now trailed at 8-6 in the sixth set, however produced a superb winning forehand counter. Ma Long now levelled the game at 8-8. Long then led 10-8 with some supreme backhands. The next rally had everyone going insane in Budapest! Incredible topspins from both players with some shots making their way around the net saw Xu Xin win the point! Ma Long fought back and made use of his disguised serves to create an easy ball to attack to Xu Xin’s middle. Ma Long won the sixth set 11-9.
Both players in the seventh set had it all to play for now! Who can maintain the pressure and produce their best table tennis the spectators ask.
Xu Xin took a time out as he trailed 4-1. Ma Long now in perfect composer and now executing his tactics perfectly by aggressively top spinning into Xu. Long caught the edge of the table with fortunate luck as the set reached the half way stage at 5-2. Ma Long took a 6-3 lead by exposing Xu Xin’s wide forehand! Ma Long’s tactics were now working perfectly!
At a crucial stage in the match Xu Xin serves into the net to give the World number 1 a 7-4 lead.
Both players now both away from the table top spinning with their all. Xu Xin won the point, however trailed at 6-9. A phonominal flick from Xu Xin put the score line to 9-7. An incredible forehand from the backhand side by Xu Xin made the score 9-8! Again Xu Xin produced a World winning shot with a counter backhand top spin which levelled the seventh set at 9-9!
At 9-9, Ma Long made a fantastic short touch to give him match point! A second wonderful return from Ma Long made Xu Xin make another error! Ma Long screams out in excitement as he wins the set 11-9 and now progressed into the final of the Hungarian Open Men’s Singles final 2012!
Ma Long will now play either Joo Se Hyuk or Adrian Crisan in the final at 15:45pm GMT – 21/01/2012. The second semi final now begins between Joo Se Hyuk and Adrian Crisan! Watch it live now
TableTennisDaily
