Ma Lin Leave Courts On Tears After Losing To Ma Long

Ma Long 4-1 Ma Lin

Ma Long had good control over the table and led throughout the round. Ma long finished the first game rather easy with an 11-5 victory. At the start of the second round, Ma Lin showed a better performance, exchanging attacks against the younger Ma Long in 3-3. However, such momentum quickly faded away with Ma Long increasing his lead to five solid points in 8-3. After such lead, Ma Lin managed to earn four consecutive points, decreasing the gap to one point in 7-8, then, finally closing the deficit in 8-8. At this point, Ma Lin gained a little bit of confidence and took a lead in 9-8. Ma Long didn’t take any chances and immediately tied in 9-9, then overtook in 10-9. Ma Long ended the round in 11-9.

Ma Lin was still not showing up in the third round and seemed to be in extremely bad shape in 1-9. Ma Lin managed to score three more points before Ma Long sealed the round in an impressive 11-4 score.

After a drastic performance in the third round, Ma Lin came back into the game more powerful and nailed the first five points. After Ma Lin reached his fifth point, Ma Long slowly entered into the game and scored three straight points in 3-5. Ma Lin noticed Ma Long catching up and immediately increased his lead to 8-3, then in 9-4. Ma Lin, at last posted his one round victory in 1-3 with an 11-4.

Ma Long scored the first two points at the start of the fifth round, and maintained until 4-2. Ma Long continued to play very well and increased his lead to 7-4. At that point, Ma Lin was already showing signs of frustration after behind in 5-10. Ma Lin still managed to save two match points before Ma Long confirmed his place in the semifinals against his compatriot and the top seed Wang Hao.

Photo source: news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/24/content_9671293.htm