Once again Ma Long, title retained

The top two seeds, the players listed in the highest places on the current Men’s World Rankings in action; status prevailed in the final of the Men’s Singles event at the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Qatar Open in Doha on the afternoon of Sunday 26th February.

Ma Long beat Chinese national team colleague Fan Zhendong to arrest the prestigious title (11-8, 11-8, 11-7, 5-11, 6-11, 11-4).

The cry of “jia you”, greeted both players, the Chinese fans in the hall with seemingly a slight bias in favour of Fan Zhendong but is that not human nature to support the underdog?

Ma Long captured a close first game; it was the same in the second as he made every effort to execute his renowned forehand top spin.

The modern day backhand return of service with forearm vertical, wrist relaxed and racket circumnavigating the ball was in evidence. Notably, also the controlled delicate touched return from the forehand was adopted extensively by Fan Zhendong. Contact before the top of the bounce, keeping the ball short, minimising the chance of the opponent attacking strongly. It was a lesson for young players, to be the very best you need the full range of skills.

Active, the first to attack, quick to seize the initiative; Ma Long established an 8-6 lead in the third game, it was a crucial advantage. He surrendered just one point, a three games to nil lead was established.

Immediately, perhaps more relaxed, Fan Zhendong secured the fourth game, playing fluently, he captured the fifth; was there to be a quite remarkable recovery?

The answer came quickly and was in the negative. Ma Long secured the first three points of the sixth game, Fan Zhendong elected for “Time Out”. Breath-taking counter top spin play, any weak return of which there were few, answered with severity. Ma Long established a 6