Ma and Guo defend Grand Final crowns in Macau

WORLD number one Ma Long came from behind in both the semi-final and final to retain his Pro Tour Grand Final crown in Macau.

DOUBLE CHAMPION: World number one Ma Long defends his Pro Tour Grand Finals crown in Macau (Getty Images)

The 21-year old has been in sparkling form since lifting his first Grand Final title in December 2008, winning four Pro Tour events last season at the Danish Open, the Salwa Cup Kuwait Open, the Harmony China Open and the English Open.

And having dropped just three games on the way to the last four, the Chinese player was favourite to go all the way again in Macau.

Ma's title defence was under threat against world number 12 Zhang Jike in the semi-finals as he slipped to a 2-0 deficit before recovering to win 3-11, 10-12, 11-6, 11-5, 11-3, 11-8.

The top seed found himself in trouble again in the final as compatriot Xu Xin battled to a 2-1 lead before Ma raced through the final three games for the loss of ten points to prevail 11-9, 7-11, 5-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-2.

Meanwhile, world number four Guo Yan also retained her women's singles title after a seven-game thriller against world number seven Ding Ning in Macau.

Guo failed to win on the Pro Tour in 2009 with a final appearance at the English Open in November her best singles performance.

But while the 26-year old rediscovered her form in Macau, cruising into the final for the loss of just one game, she needed a large slice of luck to survive at match point down in the sixth game.

Guo looked dead and buried as her 19-year old opponent took control of a long rally at 10-9 ahead but a desperate topspin shot from Guo clipped the net before careering off the edge of the table.

A matter of minutes later, Guo found the top of the net again, stranding her opponent and forcing the match to a decider before eventually coming through 3-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-4, 2-11, 13-11, 11-9.