Fan Zhendong vs Ma Long | MS | Singapore Smash 2022 / Table Tennis Channel

This rally had so much going on. Oh, man, bird! This ball comes in low and loaded, and Fang Zhendong doesn't bat an eye. Good opportunity taken here. Ma Long recognizing just a little bit of height. Fang Zhendong's backhand is so strong. Oh, dismissive. He turns and he twists. And another down the line, but on the forehand side, that's a very uncomfortable ball to play, but well-captured. And well-placed half-long leaves him in a very uncomfortable place, right at the back of the table, 11-6. It's bread and butter. Back edge of the table here for Fang Zhendong. Ma Long's trying on these receives. That is confidence out here as he steps around for his favorite shot. That's a handcuffing shot from Ma Long. It's low to the net. It's loaded with spin. Surprise, surprise. Some touch play inside the table. Ma Long dealing with a short ball off of Fang Zhendong. The way he does this, Ma Long pulls the right leg back just to create a little extra space to create more room to play the forehand should he need it. I think this was a chop block, but played down the line from Ma Long. Through, he comes to the other side of the table. No laws against that. This chop block sits up on the short side of the table. Such a good ball play to the body of Fang Zhendong. Ooh, this shot is good as can be. It just rail slides along that edge. Push, open spin. Watch the backhand here. Heavy side spin. And Fang Zhendong waits to play it right on the edge. Two explosive backhands from Fang Zhendong in the last two shots. The serve just long enough for Ma Long to play the inside-out forehand topspin. The tighter serve stops nothing. Ma Long touches it short. A clear decision early on. Common in control. A little head shake of disapproval from Ma Long. The wide forehand used to be an issue when Ma Long came back from surgery, but in the last, I'd say, year and a half, it seems to be well covered. That was a get-it-away self-defense move. Ma Long in good position here. Puts a little extra pressure. Oh, and then recovery. Long with the wide shot. Oh, the quicker serve down the line. A brave serve. Yeah, that's a Ma Long serve right there. I mean, Ma Long has pulled this off so many times and Fang Zhendong under pressure gives the dictator a taste of his own medicine. Ooh, well now, the fanning backhand catches the edge of the table. Percentages go up. And the spinny backhand sits up enough that Ma Long comes down on top. Big point. Fast-paced rally. Fang Zhendong quickly. Ma Long trying to stay loose out here. Ma Long slowed it down for a minute waiting for the opportunity. Ah, good spin here. Keeps it low, keeps the pressure on This is gutsy. Oh, and a break off the net in the rally. A four-point lead. It doesn't feel like either players had too much fortune. It feels fairly balanced. Just too much heat and Fang Zhendong sets up four championship points. Not yet, says Ma Long. Fang Zhendong takes it. A huge win. A big, big boost of confidence and world number one has some padding on the world rankings. The dictator has been dictated. And it is Brother Dong Dong Ge, Fang Zhendong, world number one to be the first-ever Singapore Smash champion in style.