Sun Yingsha triumphs at China Smash table tennis, Ma Long beaten by Lin Shidong
Teenager Lin launches comeback to overcome six-time Olympic gold medallist
Sun Yingsha won the women’s crown at table tennis’ China Smash, but her fellow Olympics star Ma Long was beaten by teenager Lin Shidong in the men’s final in Beijing on Sunday.
Lin produced a stirring comeback to beat six-time Olympic gold medallist Ma and in doing so claim his own maiden WTT Grand Smash title.
The 19-year-old found himself 3-1 down in games, but roared back against the legendary Ma, 35. He has now won 16 straight singles matches to take three consecutive tournaments, having triumphed at WTT Contender Almaty and WTT Champions Macau.
“Tonight, Ma Long and I put on a very exciting match,” he said after pocketing a US$100,000 winner’s cheque.
The youngster had lost the only prior international meeting of the pair, in Singapore last year, but took the opening game 11-4 at the Infinity Arena.
Ma asserted himself thereafter, winning the next three 11-7, 11-5, 13-11. That seemed to bring the best out of Lin and he stormed back, prevailing 11-4, 11-5, 11-8 in the next three to edge the best-of-seven-games contest 4-3.
