WTT's penultimate matchday ushered in an important match, the men's singles semifinals between Malone and Liang Jingkun.
In the quarter-finals, Malone narrowly defeated Lin Yunru 3-2, and Liang Jingkun swept Sweden's Carlson 3-0. As teammates, both internationally and domestically, the two played a lot of games. Of course, Malone has a relatively large upper hand. Now Ma Long is ranked second in the world and Liang Jingkun is ranked fifth in the world. Although the ranking is not much different, there is still a big gap in strength. Liang Jingkun faced the big brother, his self-confidence was not very strong, and it was difficult to play his own level.
This game is like this again. Malone easily defeated Liang Jingkun 4-0. The scores in the four sets were 11:5, 11:9, 11:4, 11:8.
Malone quickly took an 8-3 lead in the first set, giving Liang Jingkun a chance to get off the hook. Liang Jingkun scored 1 point, and Ma Long scored 2 consecutive points to get the set point, and the point difference reached 6 points. Liang Jingkun was difficult to recover, and Malone easily won the first set 11:5.
In the second set, Liang Jingkun improved and made a 3:0 start. Liang Jingkun continued to work hard and took a 5:2, 7:4 lead. Unfortunately, Big Fat failed to hold the lead, and Malone scored 4 consecutive points to overtake the score. Malone took advantage of the chase to win the second set 11-9. If this game is not won, Liang Jingkun will be very difficult, and the momentum will be beaten down.
The following matches did. In the third set, Liang Jingkun made a 3-1 start, and Malone chased the score to 3 draws. Liang Jingkun fought well and took the lead again. Malone scored eight consecutive points to win the inning at 11:4. Malone's form is too good.
In the fourth set, Liang Jingkun made a 3:1 start. Malone gave Liang Jingkun face, and each inning gave Liang Jingkun the lead in the opening. Then it's Malone's turn to perform. When Liang Jingkun led 6-4, Malone scored four consecutive points to come back. At 8 ping, Ma Long no longer gave Liang Jingkun a chance. Malone scored three consecutive points to win the set 11-8.
In the end, Malone swept Liang Jingkun 4-0. In this game, Malone played too well, swung very freely, and was also very confident, feeling how to play and how to have, and did not consider any technical tactics at all. Walk like flowing water, people clap together, and play exactly according to their own inertia.
Liang Jingkun still lacks self-confidence, does not have a good way to deal with Big Brother, and people are not excited enough. When he was behind, he looked very low on the sidelines, and his fighting spirit was slowly worn away. Whether it is technology or the mentality of the game, Liang Jingkun must find a way to improve.
In a match that has already been played, Fan Zhendong defeated Yukiya Utada 4-2 to advance to the final first. Yukiya Utada played well and put a lot of pressure on Fan Zhendong. He even had a chance to win, and even Fan Zhendong admired this opponent and incited the audience to applaud the opponent.
Malone and Fan Zhendong will meet in the men's singles final. In this way, the national table tennis has secured 4 championships. If in the later matches Wang Manyu / Sun Yingsha can defeat Japan's Hayata Hina / Ito Mimachi. Then the national table tennis won the five championships of this event.
After the game, Ma Long has been answering questions in English, and the scene was warmly applauded. The audience did not expect Malone's English to be so good. What a great character! The audience repeatedly interrupted Malone's words with applause and screams, and everyone was amazed, even the host was a little excited, and the interview was radiant.