"Today I had above-normal execution, and in particular added some variations to my game. Besides playing better in extended rallies, I also strengthed my backhand", he said.
Liu lost game 2. On that, he said, "I was not rattled, because I was prepared mentally. I lost to him twice this year, so the pressure was great. And I really wanted this match, to prove that I still have the ability".
Liu then talked about the semifinal loss to Waldner. He said, "The previous day I played the doubles final, and it was very late after the I took the urine test. I did not sleep until 3 am, so I was not in the best condition".
He said that having a full rest was a large reason for winning the bronze medal match.
After playing Waldner and Persson, Liu talked about his impressions.
He said that their strategies and their variations are not too different
than before. But in the matches, they executed very well. "If I were better
prepared for the tight games, I think I could still disrupt their tempos",
he said. Finally, looking forward to Kong's match, he said, "Kong and I
are very familiar with each other, and we have very different styles. The
way I play Waldner is very different than Kong's. I believe Kong will win
the match and become Olympic champion".
He expressed his admirations for Waldner: "I have been watching him play since I was a child. Before this year, he had the upper hand against me. After the Worlds this year, I have won 3 times, so I have no more mental blocks for him. But we still will study him continuosly".
Finally, Kong thanked his leaders, coaches, teammates and the researchers.
Starting form the 2nd game, Kong's strategy was clear: he would try to loop Waldner's serves, and force Waldner to an extended-rally game, which is Waldner's weak suit. He tried to suppress Waldner's 3rd ball attack. The strategy was successful, and Waldner looked uncomfortable. Kong was ahead 7-5. In the next set of serves, Waldner lost 3 points in a row in serve returns, and the score was 11-9. Waldner now served, and Kong fell behind 12-13. Then Kong tied it at 15. The contest was now white-hot. Then Kong had 2 weak loops and trailed 15-17. Waldner followed by losing the next 2 points, and then attacking to win 1. Score now 17-18. Kong's power loops earned him 2 points, 19-18. Waldner missed on a counter loop, and then erred on a down-the-line shot. Kong won game 2.
From the start, the 3rd game went well for Kong, and he was up 4-1. Then Waldner improved his serves and tied at 5-5.Now Waldner changed his strategy, and play short returns to deny Kong the opening attack. 8-8. Kong missed 2 of Waldner's serves, and trailed 9-11. Kong still tried hard to loop first, and score now 12-13. Kong had a weak loop, and Waldner's counter-loop was successful. Then Kong had some good placements, and tied at 15. Now a couple of point exchanges, and score tied at 17. Then Kong missed a shot, netted one, and lost the next 2 to lose the game at 17.
In the 4th game, Kong still tried to loop first, not letting Waldner attack the 3rd ball. He fell behind 6-9. Kong was now a little slow in taking the initiative, and made mistakes, Waldner ahead 13-7. Now Kong was rushing his shots and missed too many, trailing 9-16. Then Kong played aggressively and caught up a little: 13-17. Then Waldner gained points on his serves, and winning the game 21-14. Tied up at 2 games each.
In the 5th, Kong must return serves well to gain initiative. He started
well, leading 4-1. Then Waldner made a string of mistakes, and trailed
1-7. Kong now changed his service style, and was effective, and the score
was now 11-3. Big lead now. Kong was playing very well. But then Waldner
gained several points in a row. Kong called time-out at 13-6. He lost the
next 3, and score now 13-9. Then Kong was getting the first loops in, and
opened up to 15-10. The key was good service returns. Kong kept attacking
Waldner's forehand, 18-13. Waldner missed the next set of Kong's serves,
21-13, match to Kong.
In the bronze medal match, Liu won, but it does not mean that Liu had an absolute advantage. In the 3-1 match, scores were close. Both sides have strenghths: Liu had excellent variations on 3rd ball play, and Persson lost because he did not return serves well.
Both finalists Waldner and Kong are all-round players. In long balls,
short balls, defense, attacks, transitions and serve returns, they have
almost perfect skills. But in the first 2 games, Kong demonstrated his
ability to play extended rallies. In contrast to Liu, Kong knew his opponent
well, and forced him to play to Kong's strengths. But after leading by
2 games, Kong played a little soft in the 3rd, and let Waldner come back.
In the 4th, Kong made mistakes, because he was rushing and because he was
not able to play his game. In the 5th, Kong insisted on attacking and changing
lines (going from cross-court to down-the-line, and vice versa), and made
it hard for Waldner to adjust, finally winning this centenniel classic
match. Overall, Kong won because of his strong fighting spirits, and mental
strength, and his ability to vary his tactics. He showed perseverance,
excellent ability, and a stable attitiude. Waldner lost, but he showed
his characteristic persistence, strenth and spirits, and won the respect
from everyone.
After the final
point was scored, Cai loosened up his face and broke into a satisfying
smile. He ran up to embrace Kong. This gold medal has been very difficult
to win.
He said, "For us to capture the 4 golds again after 4 years was very difficult, in my opinion. Our athletes are great; they have withstood the enormous pressures. Looking back at the matches, we have won many by coming back, and under very tough conditions. Kong is outstanding in singles and doubles, and is a result of the hard work he puts in every day. Also, I think our coaches, our support personnel, trainers, and doctors have contributed. Our group strength has been clearly demonstrated in the competition".
In every match, he has been watching and thinking. Even though they won, he wants the coaches and players to have a sense of urgency and danger. "In Wang Nan's singles, and our men's doubles, there are technical problems we have to solve. But I also feel that our players have passed the tests, in the areas of mental strength and self-confidence".
Cai thinks that Sweden has a very strong team. The two players are old, but still improving; that is very hard to do. "Winning these matches today will benefit us greatly in the future. China and Sweden are the 2 strongest countries, but we have the advantage of youth", he said. He also said that the players not present, like Ma Kin, have a lot of potential that can be exploited.
Finally he talked about coaching. "We must have pressure, and we must
challenge ourselves with difficulties. That's how we can avoid defeat",
he said.