When you think of left-handed Danish players who are known for resilience, one name obviously leaps to the front of the list. Let's all say it together on the count of three, okay? One, two, three: "MICHAEL MAZE!" Maze is best remembered for an epic comeback in the 2005 World Championships in Shanghai. In the quarterfinals, Maze faced Hao Shuai of China. Up 3-0, Hao led 10-7 in the fourth, only to watch in a daze as Maze erased all thee match points. The highlight (or lowlight, for Hao) was at 10-9, when an out-of-position Maze slipped and fell, but in falling still managed to lace a backhand chop with just enough sidespin to hop sideways, away from Hao's overeager forehand. Two points later and Maze was on the board, 1-3. Three games later, and he was in the semis. Now 40, Maze is all but retired from professional play. Thus, someone must carry on the legacy of the resilient left-handed Dane. Meet Anders Lind, 22 (pictured). While the world #83 has had his share of memorable matches, his greatest battle has been far removed from center court. In February of this year, Lind was driving when he was struck by another vehicle. He suffered two broken vertebrae in the accident, casting grave doubts on his prognosis for mobility, let alone playing professional table tennis. After surgery and three months in a supportive corset, Lind was back to the table as soon as possible. His return to strength was amply evidenced at the recent European Teams Championships in Romania. There, he swept Portugal's world #24 Marcos Freitas in the preliminary rounds. In the quarterfinal against England, Lind outlasted Liam Pitchford (world #14) and Paul Drinkhall (world #58), the latter the deciding match. Although Lind and Denmark would succumb to champions-elect Germany in the semis, his three upset wins were certainly encouraging. "It's fantastic," said Lind. "I did not expect such good results so soon. I am so happy!" While Michael Maze may have gracefully bowed out, Anders Lind is more than capably carrying the torch for the next generation of scrappy southpaws from southern Scandinavia.

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