China's Ma Long (L) celebrates a point while Liang Jingkun reacts dejected during their men's singles semifinal at the WTT China Smash in Beijing, China, October 5, 2024. /CFP
Chinese superstar Ma Long beat compatriot Liang Jingkun in four straight games to reach the final and is one win away from clinching his maiden WTT Grand Slam singles title.
The 35-year-old veteran eased past world number 3 Hugo Calderano in the last 8 to reach the semifinals. The two had six meetings before this match with Ma having the upper hand at 5-1.
The six-time Olympic champion started well and took the opening game 11-8 when Liang hit Long, and made no mistake to claim the second game 11-7 when Liang failed to return.
Liang led 3-2 in the third but Ma came back to lead 9-6. The double Grand Slam winner increased the gap before taking it 11-6. Ma sealed the win 12-10 in the fourth and reached the final with a 4-0 victory in 41 minutes.
"Yes, it was really a comfortable victory and I was relaxed and also resolute on the court. Just like I said before, each game would be tough after reaching the quarterfinals. I hope I can enjoy the competition and I can feel that my performance is quite different when I feel relaxed," Ma said.
China's Lin Shidong (R) celebrates his victory over Xiang Peng after their men's singles semifinal at the WTT China Smash in Beijing, China, October 5, 2024. /CFP
The other semifinal is also an all-Chinese clash as wildcard Xiang Peng took the opening game 11-8. The sixth seed bounced back superbly in the second and won it 14-12.
Lin extended his lead to 2-1 by taking the third game 11-7, and was unstoppable in the fourth game winning 12-10 with a beautiful backhand.
Xiang reduced the deficit to 3-2 as the 21-year-old claimed the fifth game 11-7, but Lin sealed the sixth game 11-4 to secure a 4-2 victory and will face Ma in the final later on Sunday.