 Ma Lin has been criticized often for his lack of mental resolve, crumbling in crucial moments.Despite his victories in 1999, he performed poorly in the national trials and was denied a berth in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.He was seeded first in World Championship at Zagreb (2007); however, he lost in the final to his compatriot Wang Liqin, after leading 3–1 in games, and being 7–1 up in the fifth.