Ma Long

Which players crowned themselves World Champions at the final day?

A report by Richard Prause

Ladies first: The first title of the final day went to Liu Shiwen/Zhu Yining in the womens’ double contest. Liu Shiwen could therefore comfort herself with the doubles title after she had lost 3:4 against Ding Ning the day before in a very close Singles-finale.

The mens finale in which Ma Long competed against Fang Bo, was a stirring, thrilling match. In the end Ma Long won 4:2 and crowned himself World Champion 2015.

The two players resemble themselves in their style and technique of playing. Both are less backhand oriented than for example Zhang Jike and Fan Zhendong, instead they distinguish themselves from the other chinese players through their outstanding footwork and pervasive forehand-topspin. Ma Long (for chinese means) shows longer movements than Fang Bo, who in turn bents his arm a bit more while playing. Both seize every possibility to circulate for being able to play forehand from their backhand side.

With Ma Long the one player came out on top, who matured the most in the last two years since the World Championships in Paris 2013, where he already appeared as a candidate for the title. In this finale his backhand has been very stable and a bit more flexible than the one of his opponent Fang Bo. Due to that he managed to win the big, important points in the deciding situations. Not even a misdealt match point in the 5. Set could distract him on this day. Ma Long was tactically excellently adjusted to Fang Bo, also to his long services, which irritated Zhang Jike in the match before.

Ma Long really deserved to be crowned World Champion in his home country. He was the best player in this competition und is therefore a more than dignified World Champion.

For me it has been a pleasure, to report from the Word Championships in Suzhou. Shortly we’ll see each other again in the WSA- the next training awaits us already!

More information about the World Championships 2015:

ITTF World Championships in Suzhou 2015