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

Chapter 326 The Night Before the Finals: Strategic Deployment!
The lights in the hotel corridor were somewhat dim.

"1306..."

Chen Jin walked quickly towards Chen Longcan's room alone.

The mineral water bottle in his hand was unconsciously squeezed so hard it made a cracking sound.

The image of Weiqiao team sweeping Shanghai Real Estate team 3-0 not long ago still keeps swirling in his mind.

This means that their opponent in tomorrow's Table Tennis Super League final will be the Weiqiao team.

Although they won against Weiqiao team in the first stage, they never dared to be careless.

soon.

Chen Jin was already standing outside the door of room 1306, lightly tapping the door with his fingers.

The person who opened the door was Chen Longcan.

"coming?"

Chen Longcan greeted him with a smile.

Several people had already gathered in the room.

Yan Sheng was sitting by the window, fiddling with his phone, but when he saw Chen Jin come in, he immediately put his phone in his pocket.

As for Lin Yunru, he held a steaming hot pan-fried bun in his hand and ate it heartily as a late-night snack.

"Excuse me."

Chen Jin clasped his hands together, his face full of apology, "Something came up and I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting."

"fine."

Chen Longcan smiled and said, "I can understand that."

As he spoke, he pointed to the chair next to him, gesturing for Chen Jin to sit down.

"The final is tomorrow."

Taking a deep breath, Chen Longcan looked around, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, Yan Sheng, Lin Yunru... before finally settling on Chen Jin.

Although he tried his best to suppress it, the excitement and joy in his heart could not be contained and overflowed from his words.

"Since the Chinese Table Tennis Super League was first held in 95, let alone the championship, our S Province team has never even made it into the top four."

Chen Longcan said in a deep voice, "This time, we were able to make it to the finals and make history, all thanks to the efforts of everyone here."

"I, Chen Longcan, representing the S Province team, would like to thank everyone in advance."

Having finished speaking.

He stood up and bowed deeply.

Startled, Chen Jin and the others hurriedly stood up to return the greeting.

In reality, everyone knows very well that if Chen Longcan hadn't gone against the grain, sought sponsorships everywhere, and spent a lot of money to bring in Lin Yun-ju as a foreign player for this Chinese Table Tennis Super League, it would have been a huge success.

Even with a strong player like Chen Jin, the S Province team, given its foundation and strength, cannot carry the team alone.

Chen Longcan's contributions have been indispensable in helping the S Province team get to where it is today.

"Tomorrow's final, please join me in working hard to win the championship and leave no regrets."

Chen Longcan said.

Everyone present was a professional gamer.

The goal of stepping onto the field is to win the championship.

Moreover, with the championship trophy within reach, how could one not strive for it?

"Judging from today's match between Weiqiao team and Shanghai team, Wang Chuqin is in pretty good form."

Taking out his notebook and placing it on the table, Chen Longcan held a pen, his brows slightly furrowed. "More importantly, Wang Chuqin's victory over Fan Zhendong has boosted his confidence and performance to a new level."

"Wang Chuqin will definitely be a formidable opponent for us in tomorrow's match."

This statement came out.

Chen Jin and Lin Yunru exchanged a glance.

As Chen Longcan said, Wang Chuqin's previous technique has already evolved.

Combined with Wang Chuqin's strong serve and attack, he is indeed more difficult to deal with.

Yan Sheng said, "I wonder what lineup Weiqiao will use tomorrow? Will it be the same as last time?"

"Wang Chuqin and Liang Jingkun will play doubles, while Huang Youzheng will play singles?"

Chen Longcan shook his head: "Probably not."

In the first stage, Wang Chuqin and Liang Jingkun's doubles performance was clearly inferior to that of Chen Jin and Lin Yun-ju.

Moreover, the doubles loss that made him famous dealt a significant blow to Wang Chuqin's confidence.

If they lose again this time, wouldn't Wang Chuqin's carefully cultivated doubles persona collapse completely?
Moreover, in their last encounter, Yan Sheng ultimately lost to Huang Youzheng.

However, Huang Youzheng's victory was not easy.

If he were to encounter this situation again, Huang Youzheng might very well face a major setback.

Since the first stage is a round-robin tournament, even if you lose, it won't be a big deal.

But this time is different; it's the final.

Given Yin Xiao's cautious nature, he would certainly not deploy his troops in the same way as last time.

"I speculate that the Weiqiao team is very likely to change its strategy, letting Liang Jingkun and Huang Youzheng play doubles, while Wang Chuqin plays singles."

A glint of wisdom shone in Chen Longcan's eyes.

"If that's the case, it means..."

Yan Sheng was taken aback. "I might have to fight Wang Chuqin?"

In this Chinese Table Tennis Super League, except for the match against the Shanghai team, he played as the first singles player, which put him under immense pressure.

Not to mention facing Wang Chuqin, who is ranked number one in the world.

Yan Sheng swallowed hard, looking at Chen Jin with pleading eyes: "Chen Jin, how about... you do it?"

"relax."

Chen Jin smiled and patted Yan Sheng on the shoulder. "If I remember correctly, you've never played against Wang Chuqin before, right?"

"Correct."

Yan Sheng nodded, puzzled. "So what?"

"Wang Chuqin was exploiting someone he knew well."

Chen Jin laughed and said, "Since it's the first time he's fought you, he doesn't know your moves. Maybe you can catch him off guard."

Lin De, Wu Juncheng, Benjamin... This is also why Wang Chuqin often pulls off upsets.

"Chen Jin's words also make sense."

Chen Longcan nodded and said, "Wang Chuqin's problem-solving ability is far inferior to that of Ma Long and Fan Zhendong. He may not be able to beat them when he encounters them for the first time."

"Yan Sheng, if you beat Wang Chuqin, you'll become famous."

After listening to Chen Longcan's words.

Yan Sheng stuck out his tongue, inwardly chuckling bitterly: "Fame? That's probably going to be the death of me!"

If TZM really wins against Wang Chuqin, wouldn't he dig up his own ancestral graves?
"But I'm afraid I won't be able to handle Wang Chuqin's serve..."

Yan Sheng's voice lowered.

"uncertain."

Chen Jin smiled slightly, "Don't forget, you're a short pips rubber player."

"The reason why Wang Chuqin's serve is difficult to handle is because the spin of his serve is not easy to see."

“But no matter what spin he does, you just push the board towards his middle position to restrict his attack.”

"As long as you limit his serve and attack, and enter the rally phase, Wang Chuqin may not be able to adapt to your short pimple racket."

Upon hearing this, Yan Sheng's eyes lit up.

If Chen Jin hadn't reminded him, he would have almost forgotten that pimpled rubber doesn't really benefit from spin.

With the addition of some penhold techniques, no matter how deceptive Wang Chuqin's serve is, it can be neutralized.

The key is that the penhold short pips style of play excels in speed close to the table.

The "One-Slap-One-Beat" technique is not only extremely fast, but its arc is also more downward than that of inverted rubber, making it difficult for opponents to gain leverage.

Wang Chuqin, who is used to playing with inverted rubber, may really find it difficult to adapt.

"It seems...it really works."

Yan Sheng thought about it more and more and it made more sense, and he became excited.

If he defeats Wang Chuqin, although he will be criticized by TZM, it will also be a highlight of his career.

In short, if you win, you make a fortune; if you lose, you don't lose anything!

With this in mind, Yan Sheng finally made up his mind.

"Ok."

Yan Sheng gritted his teeth, his hesitation replaced by determination, "Damn it, let's fight him!"

Seeing that Yan Sheng had agreed, Chen Longcan quickly wrote down his thoughts in his notebook.

"Then it's decided."

Chen Longcan skillfully capped his pen, like a swordsman sheathing his sword, confident and composed. "Same old rules, Chen Jin and Lin Yunru doubles, Yan Sheng first singles, Chen Jin second singles, and Lin Yunru third singles."

"No matter how Weiqiao team changes its tactics, we will meet them head-on."

……

at the same time.

The same hotel, room 1506.

Weiqiao team coach Yin Xiao is also calling the whole team for a tactical meeting.

“The S Province team has only three or four people coming and going, and their lineup and formation don’t change much.”

Yin Xiao said, "Moreover, in the finals, they will definitely use their most comfortable lineup." "So I predict that the S Province team's matchup tomorrow will still be Chen Jin and Lin Yun-ju in doubles, Yan Sheng in singles, Chen Jin in singles, and Lin Yun-ju in singles."

Wang Chuqin, Liang Jingkun, Huang Youzheng, and others sat together silently, listening attentively to Yin Xiao's tactical analysis.

"Winning or losing in doubles is especially crucial."

Yin Xiao turned to look at Wang Chuqin, "To be on the safe side, you and Liang Jingkun will play doubles."

"Do not."

Wang Chuqin shook his head, "I'll place one order."

"Tell me your reasons."

Yin Xiao frowned.

Although he is a highly decorated coach, he still has to be realistic about his abilities when facing a star player like Wang Chuqin who enjoys immense popularity.

"Chen Jin and Lin Yun-ju's doubles is no worse than Liang Jingkun's and my team's; we have no chance of winning at all."

Wang Chuqin leaned back in his chair, his hands hanging down, looking somewhat relaxed, as if he were paralyzed. His tone was also slightly casual. "However, if their first target is that Yan Sheng, I am confident that I can win this point."

"Huang Youzheng is taking the second order..."

The words were not finished.

Huang Youzheng's eyes widened, and he almost jumped up: "It's me hitting Chen Jin again?"

The memory of being brutally defeated by Chen Jin during the first stage is still vivid in my mind, like a persistent, indelible wound.

Now, he's being put to fight Chen Jin again, and he's already intimidated before the battle even begins.

"how?"

Wang Chuqin glanced at him coldly, "So you're scared of Chen Jin already?"

"..."

Huang Youzheng lowered his head, "No, no."

Compared to Wang Chuqin, he was far inferior in both strength and status.

In his eyes, Wang Chuqin was like a high mountain, making it hard for him to breathe.

Wang Chuqin glared at Huang Youzheng and snorted coldly before continuing, "Brother Kun, with your head-to-head record against Lin Yunru, winning against Lin Yunru will be a piece of cake."

"it is good."

Liang Jingkun raised an eyebrow.

Admittedly, he had faced Lin Yun-ju four times in international competitions before this.

Four wins.

After all, Lin Yun-ju's playing style is speed-oriented.

Liang Jingkun excels in topspin and power, and the two players' playing styles are perfectly matched.

"According to my estimate, if we win the doubles, then we can take the championship 3-1."

Wang Chuqin said, "But if we lose the doubles, the score will be 2-2 at most."

"In the final decisive game, it will most likely be between me and Chen Jin."

Speaking of which.

He paused for a moment.

A sharp glint, like the edge of a sword, flashed in his dark pupils.

In the Macau Championship, Chen Jin, as a newcomer, defeated Wang Chuqin without conceding a goal.

It can be said that he became famous overnight by stepping on Wang Chuqin's head.

In the Fukuoka finals, Wang Chuqin was defeated once again.

Today, Chen Jin has risen rapidly to become the world's second-ranked player.

His World Ranking Points are almost the same as Wang Chuqin's.

This has posed a significant challenge to Wang Chuqin's status as the world's number one.

Despite receiving preferential treatment in major competitions, Wang Chuqin failed to win any of the three major competitions. The only thing he can temporarily use to maintain his "world number one" reputation is this title.

If we lose even the title of "world's number one", what will we do then?

Moreover, Wang Chuqin's endorsement contract is clearer than his serve: for every place his world ranking drops, his endorsement fee will be reduced by 15%.

In order to secure his endorsement fees, he must do everything he can to maintain his "world's number one" status!
Naturally, Chen Jin has become his biggest threat at present.

However, his record in the two previous encounters has led to widespread skepticism about Wang Chuqin's abilities.

Wang Chuqin also urgently needs to defeat Chen Jin to prove his strength as "world's number one".

Today's battle with Fan Zhendong, in which he defeated him, has greatly boosted Wang Chuqin's confidence, giving him more confidence to challenge Chen Jin again.

Looking at the confident Wang Chuqin, Yin Xiao pondered carefully for a moment.

"Compared to my previous thoughts, this lineup does indeed have a better chance of defeating the S Province team."

Yin Xiao pondered for a moment and said, "However, the key is still in doubles."

Once they win a doubles match, their winning percentage skyrockets.

However, so far in the Chinese Table Tennis Super League, Chen Jin and Lin Yun-ju's doubles partnership has become increasingly seamless, and they have not lost a single match.

Wang Chuqin personally took the field last time, teaming up with Liang Jingkun, hoping to defeat the Chen-Lin duo.

Unfortunately, he never got his wish.

Huang Youzheng, partnered with Liang Jingkun, is clearly inferior to Wang Chuqin in both individual ability and competition experience.

Winning doubles is virtually impossible.

Both Liang Jingkun and Huang Youzheng were fully aware of this.

"Coach Yin."

Liang Jingkun said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, we will do our best."

……

It was almost midnight.

But Chen Jin, Lin Yunru, and Yan Sheng were not sleepy at all.

Standing side by side in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in the room, we gazed at the city through the glass.

The night sky, as dark as splashed ink, reflected the colorful neon lights on the ground, creating a somewhat psychedelic effect.

"I wonder if there will be a fireworks show on the Bund tonight?"

Yan Sheng longed for it.

"Probably not."

Lin Yunru said, "There might be a light show."

"Shall we go take a look?"

Yan Shengdao.

"Brother, have you gone mad?"

Chen Jin said with a wry smile, "Going to the Bund at this time is just asking for trouble, isn't it?"

"Too."

Yan Sheng sighed.

It's almost midnight.

Lin Yunru glanced at the time on his phone.

He turned around, took three bottles of mineral water from the table, and handed them to Chen Jin and Yan Sheng.

"Use water instead of wine."

Lin Yunru unscrewed the lid and smiled slightly at Chen Jin and Yan Sheng.

At this moment.

clang!
clang!
clang!
……

The New Year's bells rang out from the direction of the Bund.

Lin Yun-ru raised a bottle of mineral water: "Happy New Year 2025!"

"I wish us even greater success in the new year."

Yan Sheng laughed and said, "I don't have many New Year's wishes. I just hope that tomorrow... oops, I should say today, I can win the championship in today's Table Tennis Super League final."

"Don't you wish to defeat Wang Chuqin in the finals?"

Chen Jin smiled.

I made that wish in my heart.

Yan Sheng chuckled.

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Chen Jin and Lin Yunru burst into laughter.

"Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year!"

"cheers--"

The three men held mineral water bottles, tilted their heads back, and gulped them down in one go.

At this moment.

The phone suddenly vibrated.

Chen Jin took out his phone and saw a message from Chen Jianguo: "Son, Happy New Year!"

"I wish you a great start and a championship victory in the Chinese Table Tennis Super League finals."

(End of this chapter)