Tokyo: Sharath Kamal matched the legendary and the current World Champion Ma Long stroke for stroke in the first three games. However, Ma Long packed too many punches for the Indians and finally beat Sharath Kamal in the third round of the men’s singles table tennis competition at the Tokyo Olympics here Tuesday. It ended India’s table tennis campaign at the Tokyo Olympics. However, it was still an impressive show as both Kamal and Manika Batra made it to the third round of the Olympics – a first for Indian paddlers.
The way 39-year-old Sharath played against Long has convinced him to think about competing in his fifth Olympics in Paris. He fought tooth and nail in the first three games against the reigning Olympic and World Champion Long before going down 7-11, 11-8, 11-13, 4-11, 4-11 in 46 minutes.
To have a player like Long under pressure in itself is a significant achievement for the seasoned Indian. He also managed to win the second game.
“It was the best three games and probably the best match and best tournament I ever played,” Sharath said after the tie.
The Chinese great too acknowledged that Sharath made it tough for him. “It was a tough match. Of course at the Olympics every match, no matter the opponent, no matter the country, it’s always tough,” said Long.
Sharath took a 7-3 lead in the second game with some perfectly placed forehands, and he was also helped by some errors by Long. The Chinese legend soon reduced the margin by taking five straight points, inducing backhand errors from the Indian. A crushing forehand winner after a short rally gave Sharath a chance to close the second game in his favour.
Sharath responded extremely well to the balls hit close to his body to lead 4-2 in the third game. However, Long took four consecutive point to snatch the lead.
A backhand error from Sharath at 8-8 gave Long the advantage. However, the Indian did not let him close out the game easily. Long took a time out while leading 12-11 and came back to seal the third game and take a 2-1 lead.
The fourth and fifth games were easy for Long as Sharath committed a flurry of errors. Also Long raised his level a notch when it mattered the most.