Volkswagen 2011 China vs World Team Challenge
An ominous sign for the Volkswagen 2011 China versus World Team Challenge contest, to be held in Shanghai on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th June 2011, is that Ma Lin is back in form.
Well, it is an ominous sign for the World Team.
In the final of the Volkswagen Cup in the Germany city of Braunschweig last November, he was beaten in the final by the host nation’s Timo Boll; earlier this year, in February at the United Arab Emirates Open, he lost to Jun Mizutani.
Both Timo Boll and Jun Mizutani are members of the World Team in Shanghai but if they are going beat Ma Lin in Shanghai, they will have to be at their best, their very must.
Three Gold Medals in Three Events
The Men’s Singles title at a World Championships is the one big title that eludes Ma Lin but he has won just about everything else; he is the reigning Olympic champion and he is the only man to have three gold medals to his credit in three different table tennis events.
In 2004 he won the Men’s Doubles title in Athens partnering Chen Qi; that event was replaced in Beijing four years later by the Men’s Team event, where he joined forces with Wang Hao and Wang Liqin, to secure the top prize; before concluding events in the Peking University Gymnasium by securing the Men’s Singles crown.
Success in Shenzhen
At the Volkswagen China Open which concluded in Shenzhen on Sunday 19th June, he won the Men’s Singles title; somewhat surprisingly his first such title since succeeding in Yokohama in May 2008 at the Volkswagen China Open.
The victory in Shenzhen was his 20th Men’s Singles title on the ITTF Pro Tour; it puts him in third place on the all-time list of ITTF Pro Tour Men’s Singles winners. Only Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus with 22 titles and Wang Liqin with 21 can boast better.
Two Wins at Grand Finals
However, you can add two Men’s Singles titles at ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals to the tally and the combined total stands at 22; just one behind Vladimir Samsonov who can add one ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals Men’s Singles title to his total and Wang Liqin who can add three more.
Class of His Own
Add ITTF Pro Tour Men’s Singles titles to ITTF Pro Tour titles and Wang Liqin leads with 24; it is a slender lead but when it comes to doubles then one man is in a class of his own.
It is Ma Lin.
On the ITTF Pro Tour, has won no less than 36 Men’s Doubles titles with a variety of partners, the nearest is Wang Liqin with 23 and you can add to that tally four more if you wish!
At the ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals he has won the Men’s Doubles twice with Kong Linghui and twice with Chen Qi. A grand total of 40 titles in 14 years (he won his first in Melbourne in 1997) is quite staggering.
Plays the Best, Beats the Best
Furthermore when you consider Ma Lin’s record, he plays when the best play; he plays when China plays, if he is to win, he must beat the best.
He has done just that time and again; for Timo Boll, Jun Mizutani and Joo Se Hyuk at the Volkswagen 2011 China versus World Team Challenge in Shanghai, Ma Lin is ready and waiting.
The Men’s Singles title at a World Championships is the one big title that eludes Ma Lin but he has won just about everything else; he is the reigning Olympic champion and he is the only man to have three gold medals to his credit in three different table tennis events.
In 2004 he won the Men’s Doubles title in Athens partnering Chen Qi; that event was replaced in Beijing four years later by the Men’s Team event, where he joined forces with Wang Hao and Wang Liqin, to secure the top prize; before concluding events in the Peking University Gymnasium by securing the Men’s Singles crown.
Success in Shenzhen
At the Volkswagen China Open which concluded in Shenzhen on Sunday 19th June, he won the Men’s Singles title; somewhat surprisingly his first such title since succeeding in Yokohama in May 2008 at the Volkswagen China Open.
The victory in Shenzhen was his 20th Men’s Singles title on the ITTF Pro Tour; it puts him in third place on the all-time list of ITTF Pro Tour Men’s Singles winners. Only Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus with 22 titles and Wang Liqin with 21 can boast better.
Two Wins at Grand Finals
However, you can add two Men’s Singles titles at ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals to the tally and the combined total stands at 22; just one behind Vladimir Samsonov who can add one ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals Men’s Singles title to his total and Wang Liqin who can add three more.
Class of His Own
Add ITTF Pro Tour Men’s Singles titles to ITTF Pro Tour titles and Wang Liqin leads with 24; it is a slender lead but when it comes to doubles then one man is in a class of his own.
It is Ma Lin.
On the ITTF Pro Tour, has won no less than 36 Men’s Doubles titles with a variety of partners, the nearest is Wang Liqin with 23 and you can add to that tally four more if you wish!
At the ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals he has won the Men’s Doubles twice with Kong Linghui and twice with Chen Qi. A grand total of 40 titles in 14 years (he won his first in Melbourne in 1997) is quite staggering.
Plays the Best, Beats the Best
Furthermore when you consider Ma Lin’s record, he plays when the best play; he plays when China plays, if he is to win, he must beat the best.
He has done just that time and again; for Timo Boll, Jun Mizutani and Joo Se Hyuk at the Volkswagen 2011 China versus World Team Challenge in Shanghai, Ma Lin is ready and waiting.
Volkswagen 2011 China Open - ITTF Pro Tour
The reigning Olympic champion, 31 year old Ma Lin, beat Chinese compatriot, Ma Long, to win the Men’s Singles title at the Volkswagen China Open in Shenzhen on Sunday 19th June 2011.
He overcame Ma Long in six games, winning 10-12, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-6.
It was for Ma Lin his 40th appearance in a Men’s Singles final on the ITTF Pro Tour and it was his 20th victory; furthermore, it ended a barren spell. He had not won a Men’s Singles an ITTF Pro Tour since Men's Singles title since succceeding at the Volkswagen Open Japan in May 2008!
In fact since that date the only major Men’s Singles crown that had come his way was the Olympic title in August of that year; a situation I’m sure he would change!
History Defies Ranking
Ma Lin was the more experience player and in Shenzhen was the higher seeded player; therefore, logic suggested that he started as the favourite in the contest against Ma Long.
However, the history of duels between the two Chinese stars in world ranking events suggested otherwise; of the 13 contests previous to the meeting in Shenzhen, Ma Long had won no less than ten, a quite incredible record.
Furthermore, he had won the last six duels, the most recent success for Ma Lin being in December 2007 in the penultimate round of the Men’s Singles event at the Volkswagen Pro Tour Grand Finals.
Early Lead
Ma Long made the better start.
He raced into an early lead but Ma Lin recovered an levelled at 9-all and then again at 10-all only for Ma Long to win the next two points and thwart the recovery.
The loss sparked an immediate response from Ma Lin; clever as always near the net, devastating on the first attack, he won the game to level matters.
Equally Clever
Ma Lin is the master of the deft touch, the clever control but in the third game it was that skill which saw Ma Long establish an early lead.
It was a lead he maintained to move into a two games to one lead; notably his backhand topspin played along the parallel reaped success.
Once again, skilful near the net and with lightning reactions, Ma Lin moved ahead 10-4 in the fourth game, securing the game at the second attempt, again it was parity.
Fifth Game
Attacking ferociously, Ma Lin moved ahead 7-3 in the fifth game; he appeared to be cruising to success but Ma Long had other ideas, he levelled at 9-all, then at 10-9 held game point.
An outrageous block from the backhand along the parallel enabled Ma Lin to level; then demonstrating his expertise to the full near the net, won the next two points to secure the game.
Time Out, Title Claimed
In the sixth game, Ma Lin won the first three points; Ma Long called “Time Out” but a gap had been created and Ma Lin was not to be denied.
He built on the lead and at 10-6, held four match points; he needed just one, the Volkswagen China Open Men’s Singles title was in his possession.
Ma Lin was the more experience player and in Shenzhen was the higher seeded player; therefore, logic suggested that he started as the favourite in the contest against Ma Long.
However, the history of duels between the two Chinese stars in world ranking events suggested otherwise; of the 13 contests previous to the meeting in Shenzhen, Ma Long had won no less than ten, a quite incredible record.
Furthermore, he had won the last six duels, the most recent success for Ma Lin being in December 2007 in the penultimate round of the Men’s Singles event at the Volkswagen Pro Tour Grand Finals.
Early Lead
Ma Long made the better start.
He raced into an early lead but Ma Lin recovered an levelled at 9-all and then again at 10-all only for Ma Long to win the next two points and thwart the recovery.
The loss sparked an immediate response from Ma Lin; clever as always near the net, devastating on the first attack, he won the game to level matters.
Equally Clever
Ma Lin is the master of the deft touch, the clever control but in the third game it was that skill which saw Ma Long establish an early lead.
It was a lead he maintained to move into a two games to one lead; notably his backhand topspin played along the parallel reaped success.
Once again, skilful near the net and with lightning reactions, Ma Lin moved ahead 10-4 in the fourth game, securing the game at the second attempt, again it was parity.
Fifth Game
Attacking ferociously, Ma Lin moved ahead 7-3 in the fifth game; he appeared to be cruising to success but Ma Long had other ideas, he levelled at 9-all, then at 10-9 held game point.
An outrageous block from the backhand along the parallel enabled Ma Lin to level; then demonstrating his expertise to the full near the net, won the next two points to secure the game.
Time Out, Title Claimed
In the sixth game, Ma Lin won the first three points; Ma Long called “Time Out” but a gap had been created and Ma Lin was not to be denied.
He built on the lead and at 10-6, held four match points; he needed just one, the Volkswagen China Open Men’s Singles title was in his possession.
China Super League 2011 - First Round of Mens Team Matches
The China Super League 2011 began on the 29th May 2011 in China!. The youngsters from the Chinese National Team squad all played superbly including Zhang Jike, Ma Long and Xu Xin. They all won 2 points for their teams.
All 8 team's began their matches!
Zhejiang Club versus Bazhou Hairun
Zhejiang, considered TableTennisDaily's best chance of winning from this POLL. Zhejiang have an almighty team inclduing Ma Lin, Hao Shuai and European Super Star Timo Boll. However, on this occasion Timo Boll was away.
Althought the team had high expectations they had a very tough first round against Bazhou Hairun. Bazhou's Xu Xin won his opening match up against Hao Shuai 3-2. The second match up was between Ma Lin and Cui Qinglei. In another close battle Ma Lin won 3-2 to level the overall match score 1-1.
The third match was a doubles game between Bazhou's Cui Qinglei / Li Ping who beat Zhejiang's Hao Shuai / Xu Hui in another epic fifth setter! The fourth game was between Xu Xin and the legend Ma Lin! Xu Xin's speed and quick thinking beat Ma Lin 3-1 with scores 11-5, 10-12, 11-4, 12-10.
In form Xu Xin bought Bazhou's team to victory today causing a big blow to the Zhejiang Buinessmen.
Shandong Luneng versus Sichuan Club
In the opening match up saw the new World Champions Zhang Jike defeat Sichuan's Zhang Yu. Although the inform new wttc champion did not find things easy. In a matter of fact, Zhang Jike trailed by 2 games to 1. In the fourth game Zhang Jike maintained composure and started to make an amazing come back. Zhang bought it back to the fifth set and gave Shandong's first point on the score sheet by beating Zhang Yu 3-2 with scores
11-13, 11-7, 11-13, 11-8, 11-7.
In the second match up young Fang Bo beat Sichuan's number main man Qiu Yike 3 games to 1.
In the third match saw Sichuans first point as both Zhang Yu / Xu Ruifeng defeated Zhang Chao / Fang Bo 3 games to 1.
Shandon won the match overall by 3 games to 1 as the Zhang Jike won the fourth match between him and Qiu Yike. Jike won the game 3-1 on home territory with scores 12-10, 11-3, 2-11, 11-9.
Bayi versus Shanghai Jinzhou
In the opening match saw Wang Hao fly out the blocks defeating Shanghai Jinzhou's Shang Kun 3-0 with scores 11-8, 15-13, 11-7.
In the second match saw the young risen star Yan An defeat the almighty legend Wang Liqin 3-2 (5-11, 11-3, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7). In the second set Yan An was 10-0 up against Wang Liqin however Yan on serving, faulted his serve into the net as a good gesture.
In the third match saw Bayi's doubles pair Yan An / Zhou Yu defeat Shanghai's Zhai Yiming / Ko Laichak in an epic 3-2 win.
Zhejiang Club versus Bazhou Hairun
Zhejiang, considered TableTennisDaily's best chance of winning from this POLL. Zhejiang have an almighty team inclduing Ma Lin, Hao Shuai and European Super Star Timo Boll. However, on this occasion Timo Boll was away.
Althought the team had high expectations they had a very tough first round against Bazhou Hairun. Bazhou's Xu Xin won his opening match up against Hao Shuai 3-2. The second match up was between Ma Lin and Cui Qinglei. In another close battle Ma Lin won 3-2 to level the overall match score 1-1.
The third match was a doubles game between Bazhou's Cui Qinglei / Li Ping who beat Zhejiang's Hao Shuai / Xu Hui in another epic fifth setter! The fourth game was between Xu Xin and the legend Ma Lin! Xu Xin's speed and quick thinking beat Ma Lin 3-1 with scores 11-5, 10-12, 11-4, 12-10.
In form Xu Xin bought Bazhou's team to victory today causing a big blow to the Zhejiang Buinessmen.
Shandong Luneng versus Sichuan Club
In the opening match up saw the new World Champions Zhang Jike defeat Sichuan's Zhang Yu. Although the inform new wttc champion did not find things easy. In a matter of fact, Zhang Jike trailed by 2 games to 1. In the fourth game Zhang Jike maintained composure and started to make an amazing come back. Zhang bought it back to the fifth set and gave Shandong's first point on the score sheet by beating Zhang Yu 3-2 with scores
11-13, 11-7, 11-13, 11-8, 11-7.
In the second match up young Fang Bo beat Sichuan's number main man Qiu Yike 3 games to 1.
In the third match saw Sichuans first point as both Zhang Yu / Xu Ruifeng defeated Zhang Chao / Fang Bo 3 games to 1.
Shandon won the match overall by 3 games to 1 as the Zhang Jike won the fourth match between him and Qiu Yike. Jike won the game 3-1 on home territory with scores 12-10, 11-3, 2-11, 11-9.
Bayi versus Shanghai Jinzhou
In the opening match saw Wang Hao fly out the blocks defeating Shanghai Jinzhou's Shang Kun 3-0 with scores 11-8, 15-13, 11-7.
In the second match saw the young risen star Yan An defeat the almighty legend Wang Liqin 3-2 (5-11, 11-3, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7). In the second set Yan An was 10-0 up against Wang Liqin however Yan on serving, faulted his serve into the net as a good gesture.
In the third match saw Bayi's doubles pair Yan An / Zhou Yu defeat Shanghai's Zhai Yiming / Ko Laichak in an epic 3-2 win.
Ningbo versus Jiangsu
The opening match was between Ningbo's Ma Long who beat Jiangsu's Chen Qi 3-2. Jiangsu levelled the match score with Lei Zhenhua defeating Wang Jiangjun 3-1.
The third match looked more promising for Jiangjun. However the doubles match saw Chen Qi / Jin Yixiong loose to Wu Hao and Wang Jianjun.
In the fourth match saw Ma Long destroy Lei Zhenhua 3-0. The final score was 3-1 to Ningbo.
So what did you think of the results from the first round of matches in the China Super League 2011?
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The opening match was between Ningbo's Ma Long who beat Jiangsu's Chen Qi 3-2. Jiangsu levelled the match score with Lei Zhenhua defeating Wang Jiangjun 3-1.
The third match looked more promising for Jiangjun. However the doubles match saw Chen Qi / Jin Yixiong loose to Wu Hao and Wang Jianjun.
In the fourth match saw Ma Long destroy Lei Zhenhua 3-0. The final score was 3-1 to Ningbo.
So what did you think of the results from the first round of matches in the China Super League 2011?
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The Direct Route to the London 2012 Olympic Games
However, there was a second burning question.
The question was who would be the players who would qualify for the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles events at the 2012 London Olympic Games by World Ranking.
The World Ranking list published immediately after the conclusion of matters on Sunday 15th May gave the answer.
Subject to Approval
It is the list from which the direct entries are decided; top 28 world ranked players, with a maximum of two from any one National Olympic Committee, gain a direct entry to the Men’s and Women’s Singles events. The final decision is subject to the approval of a country’s National Olympic Committee.
In both the Men’s and Women’s Singles events in London, no former gold medallist appears amongst the direct entries, none are amongst the top two players from their country on the World Rankings issued by the International Table Tennis Federation on Monday 16th May.
Retired
The past Women’s Singles gold medallists – Chen Jing, Deng Yaping, Wang Nan, Zhang Yining – have all now retired from the international scene as have Yoo Nam Kyu, Jan-Ove Waldner, Liu Guoliang and Kong Linghui amongst past Men’s Singles gold medallists.
Not in Top Two
However, two former champions – Ryu Seung Min, Ma Lin – were both present at the GAC GROUP 2011 World Championships in Rotterdam and both gave worthy performances but neither departed with a singles medal and both may finish their careers like Yoo Nam Kyu as Olympic gold medallist but never Men’s Singles World Champions.
Ma Lin is the third ranked Chinese players on the men’s list; on the newly published rankings he retains his no.4 place behind Wang Hao, Timo Boll and Zhang Jike being ahead of Ma Long, Jun Mizutani, Xu Xin, Vladimir Samsonov, Wang Liqin and Joo Se Hyuk who complete the top ten.
Only Change
The only change in the top ten being that Jun Mizutani and Xu Xin change places; the former is now at no.6, the latter at no.7
It is a similar scenario for Ryu Seung Min; he stands at no.13 on the World Rankings, behind colleagues Joo Se Huk and Oh Sang Eun at no.11; just as on the previous list. China’s Chen Qi is at no.12.
Holy Grail
Meanwhile, there are three players who have secured direct entries and for whom the Olympic Games is becoming a holy grail, they were present in 1988 when table tennis was first introduced into the multi-sport quadrennial spectacular and they have been present ever since!
We can expect to see Jφrgen Persson, Jean-Michel Saive and Zoran Primorac in London.
In their respective countries of Sweden, Belgium and Croatia; despite the fact that they are now eligible for veteran events, they are their country’s highest world ranked players.
Progress
Consolidation for those three players and for several others progress following the GAC GROUP 2011 World Table Tennis Championships.
Notably in the Men’s list Panagiotis Gionis of Greece moves from no.55 to no.36, Korea’s Cho Eon Rae from no.52 to no.42, Russia’s Alexander Shibaev from no.59 to no.43, Japan’s Hazuhiro Chan from no.66 to no.46 and Sweden’s Robert Svensson from no.82 to no.63.
Similar
Similarly, in the Women’s World Rankings there are those making notable progress.
The top six – Li Xiaoxia, Guo Yan, Ding Ning, Guo Yue, Liu Shiwen, Feng Tianwei – remain the same. Wu yang moves up one place to no.7 with Kasumi Ishikawa now being Japan’s highest world ranked player. She moves from no.10 to no.8 with Ai Fukuhara falling from no.7 to no.9. Kim Kyung Ah completes the top ten; she falls one place.
Players amongst the women making notable progress in the top one hundred are Japan’s Hiroko Fujii, she moves from no.42 to no.36, North Korea’s Kim Jong from no.50 to no.39, Austria’s Li Qiangbing from no.91 to no.74 and Serbia’s Gabriela Feher from no.87 to no.77.
Higher Ranking for Korean
Changes and there is a change in the top three of the Under 21 Men’s list. China’s Xu Xin remains at no.1 but Korea’s Kim Min Seok and Japan’s Kenta Matsudaira change places; Kim Min Seok is now at no.2.
Equally on the Under 15 rankings there are changes. China’s Zhang Peifeng remains at no.1 on the Boys’ list as does Japan’s Miyu Maeda on the Girls’ list. On the former Japan’s Yuto Muramatsu moves from no.5 to no.2 and compatriot Asuka Sakai from no.4 to no 3. China’s Kong Lingxuan and Zhu Linfeng are at no.2 and no.3 respectively.
Change Places
On the female list, Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem is now at no.2, having changed places with Lily Zhang of the United States.
China’s Ding Ning, Liu Shiwen and Wu Yang continue to occupy the top three places on the Under 21 Women’s Ranking with Japan’s Koki Niwa being followed by China’s Lin Gaoyuan and Song Hongyuan on the Under 18 Boys’ Rankings whilst Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa, China’s Zhu Yuling and Korea’s Yang Ha Eun retain the top three Under 18 Girls’ places.
Download
Provisional List, Olympic Games 2012: Qualifiers by Ranking
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subject to Approval
It is the list from which the direct entries are decided; top 28 world ranked players, with a maximum of two from any one National Olympic Committee, gain a direct entry to the Men’s and Women’s Singles events. The final decision is subject to the approval of a country’s National Olympic Committee.
In both the Men’s and Women’s Singles events in London, no former gold medallist appears amongst the direct entries, none are amongst the top two players from their country on the World Rankings issued by the International Table Tennis Federation on Monday 16th May.
Retired
The past Women’s Singles gold medallists – Chen Jing, Deng Yaping, Wang Nan, Zhang Yining – have all now retired from the international scene as have Yoo Nam Kyu, Jan-Ove Waldner, Liu Guoliang and Kong Linghui amongst past Men’s Singles gold medallists.
Not in Top Two
However, two former champions – Ryu Seung Min, Ma Lin – were both present at the GAC GROUP 2011 World Championships in Rotterdam and both gave worthy performances but neither departed with a singles medal and both may finish their careers like Yoo Nam Kyu as Olympic gold medallist but never Men’s Singles World Champions.
Ma Lin is the third ranked Chinese players on the men’s list; on the newly published rankings he retains his no.4 place behind Wang Hao, Timo Boll and Zhang Jike being ahead of Ma Long, Jun Mizutani, Xu Xin, Vladimir Samsonov, Wang Liqin and Joo Se Hyuk who complete the top ten.
Only Change
The only change in the top ten being that Jun Mizutani and Xu Xin change places; the former is now at no.6, the latter at no.7
It is a similar scenario for Ryu Seung Min; he stands at no.13 on the World Rankings, behind colleagues Joo Se Huk and Oh Sang Eun at no.11; just as on the previous list. China’s Chen Qi is at no.12.
Holy Grail
Meanwhile, there are three players who have secured direct entries and for whom the Olympic Games is becoming a holy grail, they were present in 1988 when table tennis was first introduced into the multi-sport quadrennial spectacular and they have been present ever since!
We can expect to see Jφrgen Persson, Jean-Michel Saive and Zoran Primorac in London.
In their respective countries of Sweden, Belgium and Croatia; despite the fact that they are now eligible for veteran events, they are their country’s highest world ranked players.
Progress
Consolidation for those three players and for several others progress following the GAC GROUP 2011 World Table Tennis Championships.
Notably in the Men’s list Panagiotis Gionis of Greece moves from no.55 to no.36, Korea’s Cho Eon Rae from no.52 to no.42, Russia’s Alexander Shibaev from no.59 to no.43, Japan’s Hazuhiro Chan from no.66 to no.46 and Sweden’s Robert Svensson from no.82 to no.63.
Similar
Similarly, in the Women’s World Rankings there are those making notable progress.
The top six – Li Xiaoxia, Guo Yan, Ding Ning, Guo Yue, Liu Shiwen, Feng Tianwei – remain the same. Wu yang moves up one place to no.7 with Kasumi Ishikawa now being Japan’s highest world ranked player. She moves from no.10 to no.8 with Ai Fukuhara falling from no.7 to no.9. Kim Kyung Ah completes the top ten; she falls one place.
Players amongst the women making notable progress in the top one hundred are Japan’s Hiroko Fujii, she moves from no.42 to no.36, North Korea’s Kim Jong from no.50 to no.39, Austria’s Li Qiangbing from no.91 to no.74 and Serbia’s Gabriela Feher from no.87 to no.77.
Higher Ranking for Korean
Changes and there is a change in the top three of the Under 21 Men’s list. China’s Xu Xin remains at no.1 but Korea’s Kim Min Seok and Japan’s Kenta Matsudaira change places; Kim Min Seok is now at no.2.
Equally on the Under 15 rankings there are changes. China’s Zhang Peifeng remains at no.1 on the Boys’ list as does Japan’s Miyu Maeda on the Girls’ list. On the former Japan’s Yuto Muramatsu moves from no.5 to no.2 and compatriot Asuka Sakai from no.4 to no 3. China’s Kong Lingxuan and Zhu Linfeng are at no.2 and no.3 respectively.
Change Places
On the female list, Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem is now at no.2, having changed places with Lily Zhang of the United States.
China’s Ding Ning, Liu Shiwen and Wu Yang continue to occupy the top three places on the Under 21 Women’s Ranking with Japan’s Koki Niwa being followed by China’s Lin Gaoyuan and Song Hongyuan on the Under 18 Boys’ Rankings whilst Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa, China’s Zhu Yuling and Korea’s Yang Ha Eun retain the top three Under 18 Girls’ places.
Download
Provisional List, Olympic Games 2012: Qualifiers by Ranking
Zhang Jike in Seventh Heaven, World Title Clinched at First Attempt!
At his seventh and first attempt, Zhang Jike won the Men’s Singles title at the GAC GROUP World Table Tennis Championships in Rotterdam on Sunday 14th May beating colleague and defending champion, Wang Hao in the final.
Zhang Jike played for China in the Liebherr World Team Championships in May 2010 but Rotterdam was his first appearance in the Men’s Singles event. In a sensational contest, it was on his seventh match point that he secured victory, the relief evident as he fell to the floor in triumph.
Zhang Jike played for China in the Liebherr World Team Championships in May 2010 but Rotterdam was his first appearance in the Men’s Singles event. In a sensational contest, it was on his seventh match point that he secured victory, the relief evident as he fell to the floor in triumph.
The talented Zhang Jike won 12-10, 11-8, 6-11, 9-11, 11-5, 14-12
Playing Styles
The forehand is time and again the dominant stroke in table tennis, 70% or event more is the percentage a player may try to effect from that side of the racket in the modern era.
However, arguably the contest between Wang Hao and Zhang Jike was the battle of the backhands; make no mistake, both players are strong from the forehand but earlier in the day, in their semi-final duels it was the backhand of each player that emerged as a winning stroke.
Returning Service
Both are experts in the modern day art of receiving a short services from all points on the table with their backhands. The forearm is vertical and the racket rotates around the ball producing a devastating mixture of sidespin and toppin; attacking such returns is fraught with danger.
Equally in open play, their backhands are lethal but perhaps different; the powerful backhand of Wang Hao with heavy rotation, especially along the parallel is lethal; whilst for Zhang Jike, his ability to exert topspin on the ball but the “punch” with minimal topspin, the ball dropping quickly, is likewise a point winner.
Returning Service
It was Zhang Jike who made the better start, in the first game he led 10-8 before Wang Hao levelled; a pressure moment, Zhang Jike responded to clinch the next two points and was one game to the good.
Confident, Zhang Jike clinched the second game but in the third game Wang Hao responded; the gap was down to one game.
Establishing Control
Zhang Jike was content to serve with little backspin, content to let Wang Hao topspin the ball and then attack severely with his own topspin strokes.
In the fourth game, neither play could establish command. They were level at 7-all, the stage at which Zhang Jike moved too points clear; the next point went to Wang Hao. It was 9-8; Zhang Jike called “Time Out”.
The break did not work for Zhang Jike; he did not win another point in the game!
Vital Fifth Game
Matters level, Zhang Jike often forcing Wang Hao qway from the table, moved into a 9-5 lead; he won the next point and held five game points.
Five opportunities he needed only one; two game cushion was restored.
Sixth Game
Full of self-belief, Zhang Jike moved ahead 5-2 in the sixth game; Wang Hao called “Time Out”; urging himself forward vocally, a deep throated cry following every success, he maintained his advantage.
At 8-4 he was nearing gold, the momentum was with Zhang Jike. He progressed to 9-4, then at 10-5 held five match points after Wang Hao had served off the end of the table.
Drama
Wang Hao, the more relaxed, saved all five match points as Zhang Jike made a string of errors.
Then match point again to Zhang Jike, the backhand “punch”, the master stroke; a razor sharp Wang Hao forehand, match point number six saved; then game point to Wang Hao.
Emotional Scenes
Zhang Jike saved the game point, 12-all; then 13-12 to Zhang Jike.
Next point to Zhang Jike, he fell to the floor, ripped off his shirt, he was the World champion; incredible scenes.
He rushed to his personal coach sitting in the tribunes, Xiao Zhang, to thank him; emotional scenes!
Playing Styles
The forehand is time and again the dominant stroke in table tennis, 70% or event more is the percentage a player may try to effect from that side of the racket in the modern era.
However, arguably the contest between Wang Hao and Zhang Jike was the battle of the backhands; make no mistake, both players are strong from the forehand but earlier in the day, in their semi-final duels it was the backhand of each player that emerged as a winning stroke.Returning Service
Both are experts in the modern day art of receiving a short services from all points on the table with their backhands. The forearm is vertical and the racket rotates around the ball producing a devastating mixture of sidespin and toppin; attacking such returns is fraught with danger.
Equally in open play, their backhands are lethal but perhaps different; the powerful backhand of Wang Hao with heavy rotation, especially along the parallel is lethal; whilst for Zhang Jike, his ability to exert topspin on the ball but the “punch” with minimal topspin, the ball dropping quickly, is likewise a point winner.
Returning Service
It was Zhang Jike who made the better start, in the first game he led 10-8 before Wang Hao levelled; a pressure moment, Zhang Jike responded to clinch the next two points and was one game to the good.
Confident, Zhang Jike clinched the second game but in the third game Wang Hao responded; the gap was down to one game.
Establishing Control
Zhang Jike was content to serve with little backspin, content to let Wang Hao topspin the ball and then attack severely with his own topspin strokes.
In the fourth game, neither play could establish command. They were level at 7-all, the stage at which Zhang Jike moved too points clear; the next point went to Wang Hao. It was 9-8; Zhang Jike called “Time Out”.
The break did not work for Zhang Jike; he did not win another point in the game!
Vital Fifth Game
Matters level, Zhang Jike often forcing Wang Hao qway from the table, moved into a 9-5 lead; he won the next point and held five game points.
Five opportunities he needed only one; two game cushion was restored.
Sixth Game
Full of self-belief, Zhang Jike moved ahead 5-2 in the sixth game; Wang Hao called “Time Out”; urging himself forward vocally, a deep throated cry following every success, he maintained his advantage.
At 8-4 he was nearing gold, the momentum was with Zhang Jike. He progressed to 9-4, then at 10-5 held five match points after Wang Hao had served off the end of the table.
Drama
Wang Hao, the more relaxed, saved all five match points as Zhang Jike made a string of errors.
Then match point again to Zhang Jike, the backhand “punch”, the master stroke; a razor sharp Wang Hao forehand, match point number six saved; then game point to Wang Hao.
Emotional Scenes
Zhang Jike saved the game point, 12-all; then 13-12 to Zhang Jike.
Next point to Zhang Jike, he fell to the floor, ripped off his shirt, he was the World champion; incredible scenes.
He rushed to his personal coach sitting in the tribunes, Xiao Zhang, to thank him; emotional scenes!
Zhang Jike Interviewed
Wang Hao Interviewed
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Ζητώ συγνώμη διότι ένας λογαριασμός που ανέβαζε βιντεο στο youtube διαγράφηκε με αποτέλεσμα να μην παίζουν κάποια βίντεο που έχω βάλει :(
I apologize because a account that uploads videos in youtube was erased so that they do not play certain videos that I have put :(
