Sharath Kamal vs Ma Long LIVE score: Olympics 2021 Table Tennis Round 3 Live updates & commentary

That's it then, from our coverage of this third round encounter between Sharath Kamal and Ma Long which went into the 5th game courtesy of some brilliance from the veteran Indian paddler.

Until next time, this is Prasen Moudgal signing off, on behalf of my co-commentator Raghav.

Stick around to Sportskeeda for all the news, live updates and commentary as the Indian sportspersons aim for Olympic glory, right here!

Notably though, Ma Long had earlier made a statement saying - "Losing a game would mean I am letting down China", and Kamal's terrific performance might have exposed a few cracks in Long's style of play.

That said, the No.2 seed has been one of the most consistent paddlers in recent history, and he's one of the favourites to win gold in the men's table tennis singles event.

Right then! China's Ma Long, often referred to as the 'GOAT' of table tennis was certainly given more than just a run for his money by Indian ace paddler Sharath Kamal, who even took a game off the Chinese paddler. India's 'poster boy' of table tennis, Kamal was at his absolute best right from the start, at one point even levelling scores at 5-5 in the first set, which set the tone for the rest of the encounter.

However, despite Kamal's best efforts which elicited positive reactions from across the world, Ma Long was the better player on the day and eventually pocketed a 4-1 win to move into the Round of 16 in his path to Olympic glory.

Overall stats of the Sharath Kamal v Ma Long Round 3 match

Ma Long wrapped up a 4-1 win over Sharath Kamal

Ma Long wins 11-7, 8-11, 13-11, 11-4, 11-4 over Sharath Kamal.

Game 5: Kamal 4 - 11 Long

Ma Long wraps up the game as he sends down a forehand on the middle, ball bounces over the veteran Indian paddler's racquet

Game 5: Kamal 4 - 10 Long

Matchpoint for Long, Kamal gets too much power on his forehand

Game 5: Kamal 4 - 9 Long

Kamal drives Long deep, the Chinese looks to send in a swinging forehand but the ball falls out

Game 5: Kamal 3 - 9 Long

A six-point lead for the Chinese paddler, Kamal still looking for answers to dent Long's attack

Game 5: Kamal 2 - 8 Long

Long's forehand gets a chunk of the net, Kamal is done in for pace on the ball

Game 5: Kamal 2 - 7 Long

Long running away with the deal, first signs of real frustration on the Indian's face

Game 5: Kamal 2 - 6 Long

Another forehand from Long, Kamal stretches out but to no avail

Game 5: Kamal 2 - 5 Long

Spin on the ball from Long, Kamal bends to his right but misses the forehand

Game 5: Kamal 2 - 4 Long

Forehand with a lot of power from Long, Kamal had barely any time to respond!

Game 5: Kamal 2 - 3 Long

A little too much power on the backhand, ball goes out of court

Game 5: Kamal 2 - 2 Long

Two points in a row now for Kamal, it's now or never for the ace Indian paddler in this game!

Game 5: Kamal 0 - 2 Long

Pendulum serve from Long catches Kamal off-guard, ball thuds into the net off the Indian's racquet

Game 5: Kamal 0 - 1 Long

Long looks really fired up as he pockets the first point.

Ma Long wrapped up the 4th set in just about 5 minutes

Set 4: Kamal 4 - 11 Long

Long takes the 4th set with back-to-back points, and now Kamal trails Ma Long by 2 games.

Set 4: Kamal 4 - 9 Long

Two points in a row for Kamal, and the Chinese paddler Long is furious with himself.

Set 4: Kamal 2 - 9 Long

Strong forehand from Kamal but it heads straight into the net.

Set 4: Kamal 2 - 8 Long

Spin move from Long, Kamal backs away and looks to return a strong forehand but it goes off the edge of the racquet

Set 4: Kamal 2 - 6 Long

Much-needed point for Kamal as he gets a point on his serve

Set 4: Kamal 1 - 6 Long

First point of the set for Kamal, as he gets the ball away from Long

Set 4: Kamal 0 - 6 Long

Kamal looks to bunt the top spin but overhits the ball out of the table

Set 4: Kamal 0 - 5 Long

Kamal faces a massive deficit now, Long has a massive 5-point lead

Set 4: Kamal 0 - 3 Long

Powerful forehand from Long, Kamal reaches out but fails to connect

Set 4: Kamal 0 - 2 Long

Strong start for Long in this set

Set 4: Kamal 0 - 1 Long

A strong forehand from Kamal but it hits the net.

Right then! Time for set 4! Can Kamal stage a comeback and level scores?

Ma Long takes the 3rd game after a deuce between the pair!

Set 3: Kamal 11-13 Long

A valiant effort from Kamal but Long takes the third set to make it 2-1 in favour of the Chinese.

Timeout for Long.

Set 3: Kamal 11-12 Long

4th set point for Long.

Set 3: Kamal 11-11

3 set points saved! Back to Long's serve.

Set 3: Kamal 10-11 Long

Another set point needed to be saved.

Set 3: Kamal 10-10 Long

IT'S DEUCE!

Set 3: Kamal 9-10 Long

He saves a set point, can he do it again? Strong serve is needed here.

Set 3: Kamal 8-10 Long
2 set points for Long! Can Kamal battle the veteran for this set?

Set 3: Kamal 8-8 Long

This is going down to the wire!

Set 3: Kamal 7-7 Long

Long comes back strongly after kamal took the first point with a powerful smack.

Set 3: Kamal 6-6 Long

Kamal fights back!

Set 3: Kamal 4-6 Long

Long is playing relentlessly now! Some world-class returns from the legend.

Set 3: Kamal 4-4 Long

Long fights back with two great serves.

Set 3: Kamal 4-2 Long

Kamal goes ahead in the set!

Set 3: Kamal 2-2 Long.

Set 3: Kamal 1-1 Long

Long will serve first in set 3.

Sharath Kamal vs Ma Long LIVE score: Olympics 2021 Table Tennis Round 3 Live updates & commentary

Sharath Kamal will be in action against Ma Long in Round 3 of the Men's singles T.T competition.