Lin Shidong emerged victorious in the men’s singles at the 2024 China Smash, defeating Ma Long in a thrilling comeback to claim the title with a 4-3 victory (11-4, 7-11, 5-11, 11-13, 11-4, 11-5, 11-8).
This win marks Lin’s first WTT Grand Smash singles title and continues his remarkable performance streak in the WTT Series. The 19-year-old has now won 16 consecutive singles matches, adding this title to his previous wins at WTT Contender Almaty and WTT Champions Macao. Lin’s latest triumph earned him a $100,000 prize and 2,000 ITTF World Ranking points.
Reflecting on the match, Lin said, “Tonight, Ma Long and I put on a very exciting match.”
Though Lin entered the final in stellar form, he had previously lost his only international match against Ma Long in a straight-game knockout at the 2023 Singapore Smash. However, with over a year since their last meeting, Lin set out to prove his growth and resilience.
From the outset, Lin displayed formidable control, seizing the opening game with impressive mid-range shots. Ma responded with agility and strength, showcasing his famous backhand and forehand accuracy to win the next two games, eventually leading the match 3-1 after a tight fourth game that extended into deuce.
With his back against the wall, Lin’s quick backhand rallied. He intensified his close-table exchanges, leading to two consecutive game wins and setting up a decisive seventh game.
Ma Long began the final game strongly, building an 8-4 lead, seemingly on the brink of claiming the title. However, Lin, resolute and focused, closed in with seven consecutive points to secure a hard-fought victory.
“Winning after initially trailing 1-3 in the game count and later 4-8 in the deciding game was a surprise for me as well,” Lin commented. “I believe it came down to my determination not to give up when I was behind, focusing on coming back one point at a time.”
Although Ma Long didn’t take the title, he expressed his pride in competing in Beijing. “When I was in my 20s, I dreamed of winning every tournament I entered, but now, standing on this stage is an achievement in itself. This moment right now is very impressive and memorable,” he said. “I’m very happy to have competed in Beijing, my home ground, for the China Smash. I’m sure that over the past 10 or more days, you’ve experienced the charm of table tennis and the excitement of live matches up close.”
With this WTT Grand Smash win, Lin Shidong is set to rise to World No. 3 in the upcoming ITTF World Rankings, marking a career milestone.
