Ma Long sets date with Zhengdong in Doha final

The top two players on the planet - Ma Long and Fan Zhengdong - will clash for the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals title today after they posted contrasting wins in the semi-finals yesterday. In the first semi-final yesterday, world number, Ma Long of China crushed Jeoung Youngsik of Korea in straight games to reach the final of the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals.
Playing with authority that helped him reach the title clash with absolute ease, Ma Long look in imperious form as he won 11-9, 11-8, 11-8, 14-12. Ma Long has lost only two games in this tournament so far.
In the final today, Ma Long will play compatriot and arch-rival Fan Zhengdong who crushed compatriot Xu Xin 5-11, 11-5, 11-5, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9.
It was a pleasing win for the 19-year-old player who won the Star Point award on Thursday. Zhengdong, ranked two in the world, has lost only five games in Doha.
Earlier China’s Zhu Yuling, the no.3 seed, yesterday beat Kasumi Ishikawa, the no.2 seed, 16-14, 11-3, 11-8, 11-7 to seal her place in the women's singles final.
In the first semi-final at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, Germany's Han Ying, the no.11 seed, eased past Miu Hirano, the no. 10 seed, in four games.
Han Ying won one-sided clash 11-2, 11-4, 11-3, 11-5.
“Today I had a good balance between attack and defence, I felt confident. Last time when we played in Kuwait, I won the first three games but then Miu Hirano played much stronger than today. I was prepared for a tough match, I’m surprised that I won so easily,” Han Ying said.
German coach Jie Schopp said Miu Hirano wasn't fresh enough for a better fight.
"Miu Hirano and Mima Ito are both tired, they have been travelling such a lot, to South Africa for the World Junior Championships; neither of them were 100 percent fit and it was difficult for them to find motivation," Schopp said yesterday.