"Go Kong Linghui"!
Today, amidst the cheering of the Chinese fans, I won a difficult match
against Persson. This Swedish player is well known for his backhand techniques,
but I employed an even better backhand to beat him.
I should say that both players have played to their levels. In the first game, I did not start well, but I held on. Then I was able to control the tempo, and quickly won 21-12. Persson won the 2nd game. In that game, he was playing "mad" (meaning fantastically well, above his normal level, on fire). After the 2nd game, my coach Cai warned me that I had to control the tempo of the match; no matter how "mad" Persson was playing, I had to cool him down. In the 3rd match, I was calm, and even though I was behind, I won 21-16 and moved ahead. At the time I felt that Persson's confidence was a little shaken, and I could tell that from his eyes. I knew I was going to win. The deepest impression I have with this match is that I felt like I was playing at home. Everyone in the stands was cheering for me; their cheering gave me power.
Tomorrow's opponent is Waldner. Today he unexpectedly beat my best friend Liu Guoliang 3-0. Liu told me afterwards that he lost because of "control". He was not able to execute at the tempo he wanted. It looks like in tomorrow's match, the key is to be able to control the tempo. Guoliang also told me that Waldner has come prepared, with some new techniques, and was able to handle the new serves that he has carefully crafted.
Realistically, Waldner and I are at about the same level. Psychologically, we played fairly evenly in the past, so no one really has the edge. Tomorrow's match is one of life and death, and depends on who can play with more "fight" (meaning all-out fighting spirits). I believe I will beat him.
You can say that off the court, Waldner and I are basically friends.
But I will not play any easier or softer because of that. Because I want
to avenge my best friend Liu Guoliang's loss.
After the semifinals, the Chinese reporters talked to Waldner, with Swedish reporter Danielsson (sp?) as translator.
Waldner said that based on what he saw in the Tianjin match and in the semifinal, Kong's techniques are obviously improved, especially on the backhand, being able to beat Persson who has such a strong backhand. That showed that Kong has worked hard for the Olympics. Waldner said that tomorrow's match is a 50-50 one, but "Since I defeated Kong in the Worlds (Eindhoven) last year, I have the psychological edge".
Waldner said that the match against Kong will be even more exciting than today's, with more speed. When asked about his semifinal win over Liu, he said: "I basically controlled the tempo. In the 3rd game I lost my concentration and was thinking about how to play the final. I gave a string of points to Liu.
"Liu used a new serving technique. It is very spinny with lots of side movement. I almost hurt my back returning that.
"Many Chinese reporters asked when I will retire. I want to tell my Chinese fans this: I still want to play, I don't know when I will hang up my racket".
The Swedish reporter said that Wakdner is extremely well-known in Sweden;
there are only 2 or 3 sports stars, including Borg, who are more popular.
He also said that the Swedish press likes Waldner because Waldner is still
single, frequents bars, and wins.
Waldner executed very well today, and was immune to my serves. Also he covered my shots well. There are some opportunity points, some turn-around points, that I did not win, resulting in the loss. I did not have the advantage; I felt passive.
I can't get to the finals; I feel regret. This is the first time I lost 0-3 to him. I must have looked bad out there, losing face in front of everyone.
Now I have no more pressure. I just feel very tired, both physically and mentally.
One reason is that last night we lost the doubles after being ahead, and that was very regretful. We were ahead 20-16 in game and lost. We won the second game. In the 3rd, we were up 16-11 and 19-16, bu tcould not win.
Another reason is the media had a lot of expectations for me, and our leaders wanted me to win this match so that we are assured of the gold. But I did not win. In two games I lost at 19, showing that I had the chance, but I could not seize it. Several opportunity shots I missed.
The third reason is that I played a lot of matches in the last 2 days, and I did not eat or sleep well. After the match yesterday, I had to take the urine sample, had a wrap-up with my coaches, and I did not sleep until 3 am. (The men's doubles was a night game.)
In the tight matches I played in the last 2 days, I had to come from behind to win 3-2. Add that to the losses last night and today, I fell emotionally drained.
I have done my best. I want to thank those who supported me. Tomorrow I will do my best in the bronze medal match; I will finish what I began.
In tomorrow's final match, I think Kong has a better chance, because he beat Waldner the last 2 times, and rather easily.
Waldner is 34, 10 years older than me. I am very surprised that he still maintains such good conditions. We will still have tough matches against him in the future.
I want to take a deep rest, and talk later.
(Chung's note: Liu did TT fans in the rest of the world a favor by sparing
them the specter of another all-China final; there have been 7 so far in
the Olympics. In the previous night's doubles final, Liu lost the final
3 points.)
Cai
thinks China has a 50% of winning the gold, and former world champion Jiang
Jialinag favors Kong.
Cai said: "Both Kong and Waldner are all-round players, and evenly matched. No matter who wins, it should not be a surprise. This will be a very exciting match, and a cruel one. It will not be easy. I have prepared for a 5-game match.
"Kong definitely matches up better against Waldner than Liu. First, even though they have fairly even head-to-head win-loss records, Kong won the last 2 times, opposite to Liu. So Kong should be able to be play loose. Also, between two top players, the game usually go to the extended rally stage, and Kong's ability there is higher, maybe even better than Waldner's.
"The key for Kong to win tomorrow is to return serves well. If he does not do too badly in serve returns, he will have hope for this gold medal".
Former world champion Jiang Jialiang is a commnetator for a Hong Kong TV station. He has confidence in Kong: "Kong is young, good in extended rallies, and has a fierce forehand. It is a normal result for him to win the match.
"Waldner is such an experienced all-round player. His mental quality and game experience are unmatched. But he is in his thirties, and cannot be compared with the young players. Degradation in eyesight also may affect his field of vision and judgment of balls to his sidelines.
"For Kong to win, he has to tune his mental state. If he carries a mental
luggage, then the match will be suspenseful", Jiang said.
First he gave his overall evaluation of the matches. He used superlatives 7 times to describe the matches. "The 2 matches are of the highest level, with the best players, richest in variations, and the cruelest competition. The match-ups are the most logical, representing the world's top teams. Overall, the 4 players have basically perfect performances."
As to the good and bad news from the 2 Chinese players, Cai said: "This is a normal result, and within our expectations.
"Kong has a slight advantage over Persson. In previous matches, Kong has a better record. Today Kong could smoothly win this match because of his mental adjustments. In the past, he did not always stand up to pressure, causing him to lose many big matches. But today, Kong maintained excellent mental state. Especially in the 2nd game when Persson played so well, with his excellent shot variations, and almost flawlessly. Under that condition, Kong still stood up. Kong caused Persson to make mistakes in the 3rd game, and finally won the match.
"The main reason Liu lost was due to the tempo being controlled by the opponent. First, mentally he is a little scared, after the two recent losses. Second, his serves were not very effective, and he did not return serves well. Third, Waldner dominated serves and serve returns and controlled the tempo, forcing the game into the extended rally phase, and neutralizing the 3-ball attacks of Liu.
"But having the countries that represent the highest level in TT meet
in the finals is a perfect and logical ending", he said.
I won. After the score
was fixed at 21-18 in the last game, I couldn't stop the tears. The pain
and the sacrifices from the last 15 or so years all rushed up to my mind.
And the many nameless heroes who contributed to our successes. They carved
out our final glory.
I am happy for having reached the pinnacle, and I also feel sorrow for my teammate Li Ju. We both wanted to win, but there is only one winner. I will hope for her to win the next time. After the match Li congratulated me, and said that she has no regrets. Because we both have performed well and showed all the things we have worked on.
This was a 50-50 match, whoever could play to a higher level would win. Li Ju played well, especially in the 2nd and 3rd games. But I grapped the last 2. Next time I may be the loser. We have been even in our matches before.
Looking back, all 5 singles matches were not easy, and it was a struggle getting here. To finally win it, I think it has been very difficult.
I can relax the next few days. Tomorrow I will watch my favorite Seles
play in the tennis semifinals.
Jiang Jialiang, a contemporary of Waldner's shook his head. "This is tragedy for the sport. Waldner was playing when I was still playing. I don't think he has changed that much in the last few years, but the younger players just can't beat him. How can the sport advance this way? When Samsonov lost in Mancester, I felt for the first time that this was bad for the sport".
Jiang thinks that for Liu to win, he has to make adjustments on his forehand. "I have watched Liu play for so many years. I feel that he has fewer and fewer variations. Pips-out is a limited style, so when he has no new stuff, he is losing confidence. That is bad for pips-out players".
Jiang feels that Liu should consider re-organizing his strategy. For example, should he make adjustments to his forehand? Otherwise it will get more difficult for him.
"He now mostly smashes on his forehand, or maybe blocks. So he is either on the offense or defense, and he lacks variation. Maybe he should try adopting a more neutral method sometimes, like fast counter-hitting. This is between offensive and defensive. Varying between being active and passive can change the tempo and help gain initiative".
Coacn Wang Dayong from Belgium directly pointed out Waldner's weakness: he is not good in return serves to his forehand.
"The Europeans are more familiar with him, so many are serving to his forehand. It almost always works", he said.
When Liu was playing Waldner, Wang was giving this tip to Li Lin, hoping
to help Kong in the final match.
Click
here for photos.
Chen Jing won the bronze medal match 18-21, 21-14, 21-15 and 21-10. Singapore is still without its first medal in 40 years. Chen Jing is simply better in techniques; Jing has tried her best, but it was not enough.
Chen will consider retirement after the Olympics, and may go into the
media business. "I hope I don't leave the game without any good memories",
she said. So she was trying her best to get the bronze medal.