This was the spectacular game which also showed the transition from Walner's period to Ma Lin and Wang Liqin 's period. Anyway Walner is my most favorite table-tennis player.
Walner has quick reflexes and has a sharp mind. It is obvious to every one watching that he is thinking fast - faster than the opponent and has complete control over his skills, to push, to chop, to do chop bock and top spin with forehand and playing inside out , all these while thinking faster than the opponent . Great player.
It's amazing how Waldner makes the game look so easy! He gets so many points because of his deceptive serve and remarkable serve reading and return skills. Also, even though Ma Lin won, he doesn't seem to be nearly as fierce an attacker here as he later became.
Abubakar, Did you notice that they were playing 21 points and playing with a 38mm ball? The service game was much more lethal because of spins. The loop drives were faster with more spins. They did not have long rallies because the 3rd ball attacks were deadly. When Ma was serving, he attacks. Ma won this match because he figured out or controlled Waldner's service game better than Waldner did to his.
Eboh Sunday I agree, the game is played in abundance in China, then you have over a billion people to potentially be superstars. Then comes along Waldner from the small country of Sweden be so competitive for so many generations, with such a classy style. Waldner is to table tennis as Federer is to tennis.
Ma Long & Zhang Jike have surpassed Waldner for sure. Compare their records in granslam competitions & winning percentage, it is obvious who the greater one is.
Interesting to hear the different commentaries regarding the same things - Mandarin in the left, English in the right - especially since each one is biased towards a different player.
Some one asked why there are some many passing shots. Of course speed clue and and ball size could have something to do with it. Ma-Lin had some of the fastest foot work in the world during that time so I don't think the players where slower. I think todays players are less accurate, trying to win the point by hitting a million loops with brute force until the other guy misses. Back then placement was king.
well I don't know if they are necessarily less accurate. The reason why placement was king back then still goes back to the rule changes. Back then the ball speed was so fast that you just didn't have time to put the spin on the ball that you can today, so you had to rely more on placement. Today, the advantage of putting a ton of spin is greater than placement because the ball is just slow enough that top players can reach them and get it back.
You typically want to cover a good 75 - 80% of the table with your forehand, which is generally your power shot. If you serve from the right you end up in a position where you'd be covering the majority of the table with your backhand. They're generally pretty good about getting to those balls, but Walder was just placing the returns very well here, and using his angles nicely.
Waldner was playing his best table tennis in the 2nd and early 3rd game.. then what happened? He got tired? or didn't like Ma Lin's short fh serve to fh side? As a Waldner fan this match is one of the best, but its kinda sad too because it slipped away.
One thing people don’t notice about Table tennis players is their amazing footwork, because in many things footwork means so much, maybe martial artist should study these guys.
@plot000000 I don't think he was "declining" here just yet. Waldner was 33 and in pretty good shape. Ma Lin was 19. Right now WLQ and Ma Lin are still great after exceeding age 30.
@pbsmick liu guoliang had an ace like that before losing to waldner...why so sick is liu guoliang is a penholder and he served with the back side of the paddle...that is the best ace i have ever seen...
@Borowski85 it was made cause the ball was on the border and for them and all table tennis players they apologize cause it was an unfair point and in this cas Ma Lin wanted to give that point to waldner, that´s a good sport spirit :D!!!
@vageta9281984 LOL not at all. The ball used to be smaller, so it used to move faster. And back then there were less regulations on rubbers and rubber modifications (i.e. speed gluing).
This was the spectacular game which also showed the transition from Walner's period to Ma Lin and Wang Liqin 's period. Anyway Walner is my most favorite table-tennis player.
Walner has quick reflexes and has a sharp mind. It is obvious to every one watching that he is thinking fast - faster than the opponent and has complete control over his skills, to push, to chop, to do chop bock and top spin with forehand and playing inside out , all these while thinking faster than the opponent . Great player.
That was the best table tennis I've ever watched!
Ma Lin is always my favorite table tennis player!
Respect for them both, Waldner what a LEGEND.
God Ma Lin used to be so fast.
the ball is 1 pixel
dude, waldner is respected by many asian as the greatest player of all time, i know this because i am chinese and a pping pong fan
Legend vs Legend. Winner=Humanity!
Ma Lin And Waldner...both are my fav players...
Thanks for the video. Two amazing players playing some extremely high quality of table tennis.
Ma Lin- a star was born.
But, finally, Ma never wins the WTTC. He loses 3 times in the final in 1999, 2005 and 2007. It is great pity for him.
Probably, the two best players of table tennis!
One of the best matches that shows the power of service and service return :) Awesome video!!
thank you for this nostalgia :D
It's amazing how Waldner makes the game look so easy! He gets so many points because of his deceptive serve and remarkable serve reading and return skills. Also, even though Ma Lin won, he doesn't seem to be nearly as fierce an attacker here as he later became.
he is just 19 years old but he beat the GOAT for you europeans
Abubakar,
Did you notice that they were playing 21 points and playing with a 38mm ball? The service game was much more lethal because of spins. The loop drives were faster with more spins. They did not have long rallies because the 3rd ball attacks were deadly. When Ma was serving, he attacks. Ma won this match because he figured out or controlled Waldner's service game better than Waldner did to his.
If no hiding service Ma Lin would beat Waldheim more easily
@@sharonliu8289 Like in the 2004 Olympics.
@@dickn.ormous1064 haha
Very beautiful, historic game for both players.
So exciting. Their matches were always great.
Both excellent!!!
it is nice with sets to 11 but waldner is an incredible player and i love watch him when he plays
Ma Lin is a really talented tt player.
El mejor juego que eh visto en mi joven viva. Wowww!!
J.O Waldner is the greatest table tennis player of all time
Eboh Sunday I agree, the game is played in abundance in China, then you have over a billion people to potentially be superstars. Then comes along Waldner from the small country of Sweden be so competitive for so many generations, with such a classy style. Waldner is to table tennis as Federer is to tennis.
+Eboh Sunday Ma Long is frikin better
facthefiction Your way wrong. The Grasshopper is by far better that Ma Long... Ma Long will never have the career that JOW has had....
ไอ้ตอแหล
Ma Long & Zhang Jike have surpassed Waldner for sure. Compare their records in granslam competitions & winning percentage, it is obvious who the greater one is.
Waldner is my favorite player
excelente.... NO HABÍA VISTO ESTE EXCELENTE PARTIDO ANTIGUO PERO BUENÍSIMO.....
I love how the penholder ma Lin did his backhand returns 😂😂❤
Interesting to hear the different commentaries regarding the same things - Mandarin in the left, English in the right - especially since each one is biased towards a different player.
Waldner was 34 and Ma Lin was 19.
Ma Lin arguably at a disadvantage.
You should be glad that malin is only 19 years old.😌
Some one asked why there are some many passing shots. Of course speed clue and and ball size could have something to do with it. Ma-Lin had some of the fastest foot work in the world during that time so I don't think the players where slower. I think todays players are less accurate, trying to win the point by hitting a million loops with brute force until the other guy misses. Back then placement was king.
Waldner so gentleman when lose
4:12 ace amazing
Waldner was probably the best blocker ever.
Who wouldn't be celebrating after a win against the legend?
well I don't know if they are necessarily less accurate. The reason why placement was king back then still goes back to the rule changes. Back then the ball speed was so fast that you just didn't have time to put the spin on the ball that you can today, so you had to rely more on placement. Today, the advantage of putting a ton of spin is greater than placement because the ball is just slow enough that top players can reach them and get it back.
You typically want to cover a good 75 - 80% of the table with your forehand, which is generally your power shot. If you serve from the right you end up in a position where you'd be covering the majority of the table with your backhand.
They're generally pretty good about getting to those balls, but Walder was just placing the returns very well here, and using his angles nicely.
Waldner's attitude is the coolest...
WOW~Ma Lin was so young and handsome at that time!!
Thanks for uploading this old shit, excellent stuff :)
Waldner was playing his best table tennis in the 2nd and early 3rd game..
then what happened? He got tired? or didn't like Ma Lin's short fh serve to fh side?
As a Waldner fan this match is one of the best, but its kinda sad too because it slipped away.
great job by ma lin... you're the best
Waldner - the kind of edge table and net points...
Similar ace against Samsonov in 97 but even better. This is a heart breaking loss for J-0.
all these years and ma lin still doesn't have a WTTC title, I truly hope he gets it in 2011 and get his grand slam
Ma Lin also legend!
Legends
4:12 ! amazing point !
waldner
waldner is a legend
Ma Lin, first time I see him getting excited easily like this. I think he takes some medicines now.
Excellent match.
4:12
Beautiful
best ace i have ever seen at 4:14
04:13 ace amazing
One thing people don’t notice about Table tennis players is their amazing footwork, because in many things footwork means so much, maybe martial artist should study these guys.
激アツな試合
nice sound of video
@plot000000
I don't think he was "declining" here just yet. Waldner was 33 and in pretty good shape. Ma Lin was 19.
Right now WLQ and Ma Lin are still great after exceeding age 30.
wow jan miss this game ;/
Great match!
Ma lin is ãnbeliavebou !!!!!
@Borowski85 blade, rubber, and glue maker sure love today way more^_^
Ma Lin was 19.
Waldner is too relaxed after winning the first two games. It turns out to be a tragedy...
Waldner is still the best
rising legend playing a declining legend.
What serve was Ma Lins last serve? It was a special one.
short backspin
So many passing shots, were the players just slower back then???
3:02 "Oh la..... vache". La commentatrice chinoise n'a pas pu s'empêcher de sortir une expression française :-D
still better then ittf in video quality
Que jogo.Acho que não chego neste nível
nem treinando muito.
Валднер легенда
Still fairly normal quality level for youtube standards. :)
7:05-7:30
ma lin is using his famous shot for 3 times
It's the same commentator! :o
Quel match d'anthologie, en effet...
@pbsmick liu guoliang had an ace like that before losing to waldner...why so sick is liu guoliang is a penholder and he served with the back side of the paddle...that is the best ace i have ever seen...
@Borowski85 it was made cause the ball was on the border and for them and all table tennis players they apologize cause it was an unfair point and in this cas Ma Lin wanted to give that point to waldner, that´s a good sport spirit :D!!!
Exactly what i was thinking.
They were good...
ooooooooooooooooh speedglue, how you are missed and should have never been outlawed.
i want to see the final...
Waldner is the best
Nice game.
@JaxAkaJT no ma lin is much older at that time
They move so fast everything is all fuzzy. But, seriously, very short volleys.
even waldner will not say what you've just said..
Man 38mm balls were awesome
ma lin voice is much younger that time...:D
@vageta9281984 LOL not at all. The ball used to be smaller, so it used to move faster. And back then there were less regulations on rubbers and rubber modifications (i.e. speed gluing).
Actually waldner studied TT in china
damn ma lin was like 19 or something here
ワルドナーが試合後ユニフォームビリビリに破った試合でしたかね？
Ma Lin's coach trying to distract Waldner by fanning the hand chinese fan.
video not working
Why does it seem like the ball's moving very slowly?
But waldner should have won this game... He was leading 2-0, 16-11...
This quality
Ma Lin had hair
El Ma Lin cuando era guacho! ajaja.Hubiese preferido que gane Waldner
5:08 is DIRTY
waldner joue avec sa puissance et son talent alors que ma lin joue avec ses réflexes et son jeu de jambes