Table tennis: Swinging the racket billions of times, achieving a grand slam

Chapter 315 Chen Jin VS Fan Zhendong! The Violent Panda's Backhand Tearing!
12 month 13 day.

The second day of the Chinese Table Tennis Super League.

Today's match results have already been released and have sparked heated discussions online.

"Chen Jin vs. Fan Zhendong? Holy crap, are these two finally going to face off?"

"Chen Jin's momentum has been too strong lately, even the Dragon Team couldn't suppress him. Hopefully, Dong Ge can teach him a lesson."

“Dong Ge hasn’t played a match in a long time and hasn’t had any systematic training, so his condition isn’t very good. On the other hand, Chen Jin has been playing matches all the time, so his touch is definitely better.”

"Win or lose, this game was definitely enjoyable."

"JLZ, please give my brother Dong back his competition qualification! @Liu Guoliang, @Wang Hao"

……

Before the match even started, the hashtag "Chen Jin's first match against Fan Zhendong" had already topped the trending search list.

The online discussion spread like wildfire.

nine thirty.

The group arrived at the training hall.

Although Wang Liqin is not the coach of the Shanghai team, he was present at the scene, sitting with his arms crossed, supervising the players' warm-up training.

My gaze shifted, and I saw that not far away, members of the S Province team were also doing stretching exercises, jogging slowly around the pool table.

"Coach Chen."

Wang Liqin stepped forward and took the initiative to greet Chen Longcan.

"how?"

Chen Longcan laughed and said, "You came all this way to spy on our tactics?"

"No no."

Wang Liqin quickly waved his hand, smiled with narrowed eyes, "I just didn't expect that you would actually let Chen Jin handle a deal."

"This is not your best solution."

In fact, the Shanghai team also gathered together last night to discuss their lineup and tactics.

It was originally thought that the S Province team would adopt the "Tian Ji horse racing" strategy, letting Yan Sheng make a single deal.

Unexpectedly, the S Province team abandoned the best strategy and used a more risky formation to fight against the Shanghai team.

This puzzled Wang Liqin.

Based on his understanding of Chen Longcan, it was impossible that he hadn't considered this possibility.

The only explanation is that Chen Longcan wants Chen Jin to face Fan Zhendong on the court.

"Correct."

Chen Longcan smiled, a few wrinkles appearing at the corners of his eyes, and his gaze towards Chen Jin was filled with a hint of doting.

"Then why are you deploying your troops like this? Are you trying to pit Chen Jin and Little Fatty against each other?"

Following Chen Longcan's gaze, Wang Liqin also looked at Chen Jin.

But Chen Jin was already engrossed in training.

Forehand fixed-point continuous explosive smash.

Kick your legs and twist your waist to unleash your whipping power.

It has explosive power.

The sound of the ball hitting the paddle is like a firecracker, crisp and melodious, with a strong sense of rhythm.

"Yes."

Chen Longcan's gaze never left Chen Jin. "Everyone can see that Chen Jin really wants to fight Fan Zhendong, but he is willing to give up this opportunity for the sake of his team."

"Young people, if we don't let them pursue their dreams, are we going to wait until we're old to chase them?"

"We all know how cruel competitive sports are."

Upon hearing this, Wang Liqin fell silent.

As Chen Longcan said, a professional athlete's golden period is only about ten years.

Players with exceptionally long playing time, such as Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, and Boll, are, after all, only a minority.

Especially in a highly competitive environment like that of the Chinese national table tennis team, the cycle may be even shorter.

There was a pause.

Wang Liqin sighed, "I suddenly feel a little reluctant to poach Chen Jin from Coach Chen's side."

"Don't."

Chen Longcan laughed and said, "Chen Jin will have a better future if he follows you and the Shanghai team."

If Chen Jin is a dragon, then the S Province team is just a shallow pool that will trap Chen Jin and eventually dry up and die.

Meanwhile, the Shanghai team was a vast expanse of water.

Furthermore, Wang Liqin's care for his own players is evident in his arrangements for Fan Zhendong.

"rest assured."

Wang Liqin solemnly stated, "I also have high hopes for Chen Jin."

"I will do everything I can to help Chen Jin reach the summit."

……

The training hall, on the other side.

Accompanied by Zhao Zihao, Fan Zhendong sat on the ground and did stretching exercises.

Since the hotel incident, the Shanghai team has assigned Zhao Zihao to be Fan Zhendong's personal bodyguard.

For the Paris Olympics, Zhao Zihao was not originally included in the Chinese national table tennis team's roster, and he didn't even have the qualification to enter the training hall to spar with Fan Zhendong.

However, the Shanghai team sponsored Zhao Zihao to travel to Paris in his personal capacity and accompany him throughout the trip.

Some even paid for their own tickets to watch from the stands, feeling tense when Fan Zhendong lost a point and excited when he won.

As a penhold player, Zhao Zihao, who once had his racket thrown by Wang Chuqin but still helped pick it up, has never stood on the podium of the three major tournaments.

However, every trophy and gold medal from the three major competitions bears his fingerprints.

In this Chinese Table Tennis Super League, Zhao Zihao will once again be Fan Zhendong's sparring partner.

Zhao Zihao turned to watch Chen Jin's training for a while, smiled bitterly, and said to Fan Zhendong, "This kid's forehand and backhand are too powerful, I can't imitate them."

"It's okay."

Fan Zhendong smiled slightly.

His eyes turned.

He seemed to see his younger self in Chen Jin.

Looking back, he was selected for the Bayi team at the age of eleven and became teammates with Wang Hao.

He joined the national team at the age of fifteen.

At the age of sixteen, he qualified for the men's singles competition at the Paris World Table Tennis Championships.

In the same year, at the National Games, he defeated Zhang Jike and Xu Xin.

He shocked the world of table tennis by defeating Ovtcharov 4-1 in the men's singles final of the German Open.

Furthermore, it entered the top five in the world rankings for the first time.

At sixteen, he emerged like a star descended from the heavens, full of youthful vigor and ambition.

For the next ten years, he fought in the world of table tennis.

Under Mataki's terrifying dominance, he not only became the third person in history to achieve a Super Grand Slam, but also won almost every major tournament runner-up title.

Today, Chen Jin's achievements are even greater than they were back then.

"After all these years, we finally have a decent newcomer emerging."

Fan Zhendong stood up from the ground, swung his arms and wrists, and said, "In the BJ Grand Slam final, he was able to defeat the Dragon team with hair gel on... I've wanted to play against him for a long time."

He picked up the racket, breathed on it, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"Zihao."

Fan Zhendong called out, "Time for practice!"

The pool table next door.

Xie Mingyang and Zhang Jiahao were accompanying Xu Xin and Zhou Kai in their doubles training.

However, ever since Chen Jin appeared in the training hall, the two men's eyes kept drifting over to him, as if Chen Jin had a magnet attached to him.

Seeing their absent-minded expressions, Xu Xin was both annoyed and amused. He tapped the pool table and said, "Hey, can you two tone it down? Your eyes are practically glued to Chen Jin."

"Please, we are now opponents of Chen Jin and his group."

"Can't you guys get a clear picture of what's going on?"

Brother, how dare you talk to us like that!

When Chen Jin came in just now, didn't your eyes widen too?
Zhang Jiahao stuck out his tongue and laughed, "Sorry, we admire each other and couldn't help ourselves."

……

Eleven o'clock.

The match started on time.

The huge stands were packed with people, with no seats available.

All sorts of cheers echoed across the stadium like a tidal wave.

"Whoo~"

Yan Sheng glanced at the Shanghai team next door and saw that Xu Xin and Zhou Kai were already rubbing their hands together, so he let out a long breath, his face showing visible tension.

In this year's Chinese Table Tennis Super League, the S Province team spent a lot of money to bring in Lin Yun-ju as a foreign player to partner with Chen Jin.

It's obvious they're aiming for the championship.

With Chen Jin's strength, plus Lin Yun-ju, their chances of winning the Chinese Super League title are extremely high.

Compared to the two, Yan Sheng is far inferior in both fame and ability.

Therefore, Yan Sheng was under even greater psychological pressure.

The outcome of the first doubles match against the Shanghai team is particularly crucial.

If he loses, it will put pressure on Chen Jin's upcoming matches.

"I can't hold them back."

Yan Sheng kept reminding himself, "I absolutely cannot hold them back!"

Seeing Yan Sheng's tension and pressure at a glance, Chen Jin reached out and patted him on the shoulder: "Brother Sheng, relax and play, enjoy the game."

"clear."

Yan Sheng took a deep breath and nodded.

Watching Lin Yunru and Yan Sheng walk side by side towards the court, Chen Longcan showed a hint of worry: "Yan Sheng is too nervous and under a lot of pressure. I think this doubles match is going to be very difficult."

"Chen Jin, you need to be mentally prepared."

Although Fan Zhendong has been out of training for a long time, his foundation and skills are still there.

Yesterday's battle with Wang Chuqin was a glimpse into the bigger picture, so we must not let our guard down.

If Chen Jin loses the doubles, the pressure on him will skyrocket.

Of course, this is also one of the drawbacks of such strategic deployment.

I had already foreseen this last night.

"Don't worry, Instructor Chen."

Chen Jin remained calm. "I have long been prepared for both the best and the worst."

The result of the competition was exactly as Chen Longcan had predicted.

Lin Yunru and Yan Sheng gave it their all, but their overall strength was indeed inferior to Xu Xin and Zhou Kai.

Ultimately, the score was 1-3.

The S Province team lost the first doubles match, and the pressure immediately shifted to Chen Jin.

"Feel sorry."

Yan Sheng hung his head, dejected and full of self-blame, "It's all my fault for dragging everyone down."

"Nothing."

Lin Yunru wiped his sweat. "I missed a few crucial shots."

"The last game is over. Regardless of the outcome, don't think too much about it. The key is to focus on the next game."

Chen Longcan said, "Be prepared for a do-or-die battle."

"Chen Jin, you too." At this moment, Chen Jin picked up his racket, grabbed a towel, stood up, stretched his limbs, and prepared to go on the court.

Knowing that the next match would be Chen Jin versus Fan Zhendong.

Without a doubt, the level of attention this match received was no less than that of yesterday's Fan-Wang battle.

One is the violent panda who just won the Grand Slam, and the other is the rookie king who is invincible.

The two met on the field, generating a lot of buzz.

Even the commentators in the Chinese Super League were excited: "I believe this upcoming match will be a clash of titans, it will be incredibly exciting."

soon.

The contestants appear.

Cheers and screams instantly filled the entire stadium.

When shaking hands.

Chen Jin and Fan Zhendong exchanged a smile.

Immediately, his expression became solemn, his eyes sharpened, and his aura suddenly changed.

Toss a coin to guess who will go first.

Chen Jin has the right to serve.

Warm-up practice session.

Fan Zhendong experienced the power of Chen Jin's forehand and backhand topspin for the first time and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow: "This forehand and backhand quality, and it's a penhold grip... Is Hao Ge reincarnated?"

"No wonder Coach Wu often praised Chen Jin to me before, saying that Chen Jin has the style of me back then, and may be the next super Grand Slam winner."

When he first joined the Bayi team, he hung out with Wang Hao.

Wang Hao recommended him to Coach Wu.

From then on, he became a disciple of the Wu School.

He and Chen Jin are considered fellow disciples.

Looking at his junior brother, Fan Zhendong's eyes sharpened.

0: 0.

Chen Jin, holding a ping-pong ball, stood on the left side of the table and glanced at Fan Zhendong, who was standing opposite him.

He bent over, his gaze sharp as an eagle's and a wolf's.

"Whoo~"

Taking a deep breath, Chen Jin steadied himself and gently tossed the ball upwards.

Hook serve.

Right half of the platform.

Side down.

"Very clean, very clear."

Fan Zhendong felt much more at ease.

Step forward and control the ball for a short distance.

This was my first time fighting Chen Jin, so I was cautious and testing the waters.

Chen Jin didn't dwell on the small ball inside the table. He cut down with his forearm, his wrist trembling slightly, and quickly chopped Fan Zhendong's backhand baseline.

This shot was extremely fast.

The landing point and the spin all showcased the delicate and precise control Chen Jin possessed.

On the first ball, Fan Zhendong's touch was clearly not yet in place.

A misjudgment during the initial move resulted in the ball spinning into the net.

1: 0.

Warm-up practice session.

Fan Zhendong experienced the power of Chen Jin's forehand and backhand topspin for the first time and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow: "This forehand and backhand quality, and it's a penhold grip... Is Hao Ge reincarnated?"

"No wonder Coach Wu often praised Chen Jin to me before, saying that Chen Jin has the style of me back then, and may be the next super Grand Slam winner."

When he first joined the Bayi team, he hung out with Wang Hao.

Wang Hao recommended him to Coach Wu.

From then on, he became a disciple of the Wu School.

He and Chen Jin are considered fellow disciples.

Looking at his junior brother, Fan Zhendong's eyes sharpened.

0: 0.

Chen Jin, holding a ping-pong ball, stood on the left side of the table and glanced at Fan Zhendong, who was standing opposite him.

He bent over, his gaze sharp as an eagle's and a wolf's.

"Whoo~"

Taking a deep breath, Chen Jin steadied himself and gently tossed the ball upwards.

Hook serve.

Right half of the platform.

Side down.

"Very clean, very clear."

Fan Zhendong felt much more at ease.

Step forward and control the ball for a short distance.

This was my first time fighting Chen Jin, so I was cautious and testing the waters.

Chen Jin didn't dwell on the small ball inside the table. He cut down with his forearm, his wrist trembling slightly, and quickly chopped Fan Zhendong's backhand baseline.

This shot was extremely fast.

The landing point and the spin all showcased the delicate and precise control Chen Jin possessed.

On the first ball, Fan Zhendong's touch was clearly not yet in place.

A misjudgment during the initial move resulted in the ball spinning into the net.

1: 0.

The second serve was also a hook shot.

Fan Zhendong still used short shots, but the landing point changed significantly.

Forehand small triangle.

Chen Jin made a quick decision and stepped forward.

Lean out to the right of the ball, lower your center of gravity, and lower your arms.

As the ping-pong ball falls, accelerate the friction between your fingers and wrist.

"laugh!"

High-hanging arc ring, wrapped around the net and placed on the platform.

Fan Zhendong lunged forward with his forehand, but with a snap, he couldn't stop the spin.

The ball went out of bounds.

0: 2.

"Improving."

Fan Zhendong pouted, looked down at the rubber on his racket, and gently wiped it with his hand.

Switch sides and serve.

The forehand is short.

Side down.

Chen Jin pushed off with his feet, his body moving forward at lightning speed to seize the early descent of the ball's landing point.

Relax your shoulders and raise your elbows, with your wrists slightly bent inward.

"Break!"

Twist in a straight line with your backhand.

"A direct confrontation right from the start?"

Fan Zhendong raised an eyebrow.

Use their strength against them, and tear apart the opposite side.

It was initially thought that Chen Jinshen, positioned on the right side of the table, would have difficulty defending the backhand position.

Unexpectedly, a figure flashed by.

Chen Jin's footwork was like a ghost; with a backhand flick, he powerfully slammed the ball straight down the line.

"So fast."

Fan Zhendong's chest tightened, and he lunged forward with a cross step, attempting to save the shot.

Unfortunately, we were a step too late.

Snapped!
The ball hits the edge of the paddle and flies out of bounds.

0: 3.

Despite falling behind early on and facing challenges from young players, Fan Zhendong remained calm and composed.

Continue serving at your own pace.

The forehand is short.

Do not forward.

Chen Jin stopped.

Fanzhen Dongdong pierced the middle road.

Chen Jin twisted his body and hung a board.

Knowing full well that this shot was of poor quality, and that against Fan Zhendong it was simply asking for a beating.

As if springs were installed under his feet, Chen Jin immediately leaped backward.

As expected, Fan Zhendong used his waist and abdomen to push off and control the rising phase of the ball, then unleashed a powerful backhand smash.

"Snapped!"

A single inch of force can open the heavens.

Its power was immense, like a thunderbolt that shattered the void.

It moved so fast, like a shooting star from outer space, disappearing in an instant.

Fortunately, Chen Jin stepped back from the table early to reduce the force, gripped his racket tightly with his index finger, and shifted his body weight forward to passively defend.

Snapped!
A deafening sound followed.

The white ping-pong ball, like a meteorite falling from the heavens, struck Chen Jin's racket heavily.

Penetrates the baseboard!
A strong shock caused Chen Jin's expression to change slightly.

They couldn't control the force of that shot.

The ball went out of bounds.

3: 1.

"What a powerful backhand!"

Chen Jin took a deep breath, a rare look of shock appearing in his eyes.

In his first direct confrontation with Fan Zhendong's powerful backhand rip, he finally understood the terrifying nature of this "violent panda."

Prior to this, he had clashed with various masters.

However, Fan Zhendong's backhand quality is absolutely top-notch.

"nice shot!"

"As expected of my Dong-ge!"

Despite losing a point, Chen Jin was not discouraged at all; on the contrary, he became even more excited.

The blood in my body was boiling endlessly.

The gaze directed at Fan Zhendong seemed to contain the gleam of swords and the blazing flames of passion.

(End of this chapter)