After attending many table tennis tournaments, you will learn to properly interpret what is said after matches.  For example,
 
If someone says… “I lost in the fifth”  
He means…  “I lost badly in the fifth.” (If it was close, he would have told you the score)
 
If someone says…  “I just couldn’t win the close games.”
He means…  “I lost 3-0.”
 
If someone says…  “I just couldn’t return his serves.”
He means… “I lost 3-0 and wasn’t close in any of the games.”