Liebherr Men’s World Cup - German Timo Boll Loses to Wang Hao; Hope of Winning Gold Lost
In the Liebherr Men’s World Cup currently going on in Magdeburg, Sunday, the 31st of October was a magnificent day. The reigning world champion Wang Hao of China reserved his place in the final by beating the host nation’s Timo Boll. He overcame Timo Boll in five games in their semi-final encounter. It was a most impressive performance by Wang Hao, who beat the current European champion in his own country. This splendid performance was not only impressive but also thoroughly professional. The match presented an interesting watch to the spectators. Wang Hao did his work in minute detail; he had to follow a comprehensive plan and he successfully followed that plan to perfection.
The home crowd was greatly disappointed by the performance of their champion Timo Boll. It was a quiet crowd that left the arena at Bordenalle. They had hoped of seeing a magical performance by Timo Boll and expected him to win the match. The great German as usual gave his best but he, along with the silent but appreciative crowd, had to face a quality play from Wang Hao, a player of excellence.
Wang Hao adopted a tactic that he has used many times against Timo Boll. He directed a majority of his first attacking shots towards the backhand of the left-handed German. The only danger for Wang Hao and all the adversaries of Timo Boll is that his forehand is so strong and lethal, brought about with greater degrees of topspin than that executed by most other players. Throughout the tournament, Wang Hao had been equally in form and gave a professional performance that also led him to capture the Men’s singles at the H.I.S World Championships in Yokohama in 2009. In opposition to Timo Boll, Wang Hao captured the first two games. He pressurized the German’s backhand and very rarely let the famed Boll forehand loose.
The home crowd supported Timo Boll a lot and did their best to rejuvenate their hero when it was two games to nil in arrears. A voice from the crowd called the name “Timo Boll” several times to energise him. It might be noticed that the crowd encouraged their hero in their best possible ways: rhythmical clapping, cheering and applause, but remained quiet when the man served. It was a 10-7 lead for Timo Boll before Wang Hao saved two game points. The Chinese could make it a trilogy but the game went to Timo Boll and the crowd rejoiced.
Strong words from the Chinese coach Wu Jianpeng at the break between the games bore fruit as Wang Hao returned in the fourth game enthusiastically. It was a close game but throughout the tournament, the advantage was with the Chinese player. He maintained his advantage to win the game and move the match to a three games to one lead.
Winning the fourth game acted like a confidence booster for Wang Hao. He was consistently playing from both backhand and forehand. Seeming very contended in the rallies, he won the first three points of fifth game. Jorg Rosskopf, the German coach sitting courtside, winner of the Men’s Cup title in 1998 in the Chinese city of Shantou, called for a break but it was of no avail. Wang Hao was far ahead and ascending at great speed. He won the fifth game and for the fifth time in his career he was in the final of Liebherr Men’s World Cup. The result was 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 1-8, 11-3.
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