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

Chapter 352 Xie Mingyang VS Liang Jingkun! A Clash of the Veterans!
Backstage, people come and go.

Some chatted quietly, while others closed their eyes to rest.

Xie Mingyang, however, sat upright, his eyes fixed on the large screen in front of him.

On the screen, a celebratory scene of Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao shaking hands was playing.

"Won."

A warm smile involuntarily appeared on Xie Mingyang's lips.

"The World Table Tennis Championships men's doubles champion and the world's number one ranked men's doubles pair both lost to Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao."

Xie Mingyang smiled, a rare sight indeed. "It seems that Zhang Jiahao, by clinging to Chen Jin's coattails, can really snag a doubles title at this Singapore Grand Slam."

Although he often bickered with Zhang Jiahao, he looked down on the latter.

However, he also had to admit that many things had changed since Zhang Jiahao returned to the national table tennis team.

Their skills have improved significantly compared to the qualifying rounds.

Otherwise, facing world champion-level doubles pairs like Falk/Karlsson and the Lebrun brothers, it would be difficult for Chen Jin to win the match by himself alone.

Zhang Jiahao's performance in these two doubles matches was also quite impressive.

He has both defensive and offensive capabilities; he can match Felix's speed close to the table and contend with Alex from mid-to-long range.

However, compared to Chen Jin, he ultimately lacked the explosive power to finish a match.

"Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao won, now it's my turn to go to the battlefield."

Xie Mingyang stretches his muscles and bones.

His whole body was filled with fighting spirit, surging and turbulent.

He turned his head and glanced at Liang Jingkun, who was sitting not far away from him, out of the corner of his eye.

The Idle Prince, Liang Tiantian, Big Fatty, a Grand Slam winner below the neck, the fourth person to win the Paris Olympics...

Liang Jingkun has many nicknames in the Chinese national table tennis team.

But there is no doubt that Prince Liang is not someone to be trifled with.

His forehand and backhand quality is comparable to that of Ma Long and Fan Zhendong.

Especially his backhand.

In their rematch, Xie Mingyang knew very well that the reason he was able to win two games against Liang Jingkun last time was largely because Liang Jingkun was not in good form.

This time, Liang Jingkun is in top form.

Beating him will be extremely difficult.

"No matter what, we have to give it our all."

Xie Mingyang's gaze darkened slightly.

Taking over and seizing power should be a tradition of the Chinese national table tennis team.

Today, however, this tradition is gradually being lost.

Fortunately, Chen Jin's sudden emergence, with his superhuman strength, allowed him to defeat all the main players and gain a foothold in the Chinese national table tennis team, bringing tradition back on track.

"What Chen Jin can do, I, Xie Mingyang, can do as well."

Xie Mingyang's eyes became increasingly sharp.

To become a key player in the Chinese national table tennis team, one must be constantly pushed forward by the next generation.

If you can't even get past a veteran like Liang Jingkun, how can you talk about entering the main team?

at this time.

Liang Jingkun seemed to sense the rising killing intent and turned his head to look.

They made eye contact.

"..."

Liang Jingkun felt a chill run down his spine. "Damn, this kid has such a strong killing intent."

He had no doubt that Xie Mingyang's backpack contained not a tennis racket.

Instead, it was the Heaven-Slaying Sword and the Dragon-Slaying Saber.

He might pull it out at any time and look at himself.

"Whoo~"

Liang Jingkun let out a long breath.

He bent over and straightened his sneakers.

"what?"

Xie Mingyang's gaze shifted, somewhat surprised. "Where did Liang Jingkun's signature red and blue shoes go? How come they've turned into a pair of white sneakers?"

My mind hasn't changed.

Staff members came forward to remind Xie Mingyang and Liang Jingkun to get ready to go on stage.

A fierce battle is inevitable.

Xie Mingyang stood up, stood still, closed his eyes, remained silent for a few seconds, and composed himself.

Then, just as they were about to leave...

Suddenly, Chen Jin's voice came from the big screen behind him: "Xie Mingyang, good luck in the competition."

Hear the sound.

Xie Mingyang was stunned for a moment.

Looking back.

Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao were seen in the mixed zone, giving post-match interviews.

The two of them met Xie Mingyang's gaze across the screen.

"Ok!"

Xie Mingyang nodded emphatically.

He turned and left, his steps becoming even more resolute.

As soon as they entered the arena.

The fans cheered, like a sandstorm, sweeping in and covering everything.

However, such frenzied cheering was neither to cheer on Liang Jingkun nor to support Xie Mingyang.

The reason was that the women's doubles semi-final was being played at the next table, where Sun Yingsha and Wang Yidi were playing together.

The enchanting sound filled the ears and captivated the soul.

They couldn't even hear the referee clearly.

As a veteran, Liang Jingkun was already used to this kind of situation.

The moment Xie Mingyang stepped onto the field, he was completely focused and unaffected by external influences.

After tossing a coin to determine who goes first, Liang Jingkun won the right to serve.

Afterwards, they warmed up with sparring.

at the same time.

Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao finished the interview and hurried back to the lounge.

The sweat on my body hadn't completely dried yet.

"Brother Jin."

Looking at Chen Jin's abs, Zhang Jiahao wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and chuckled, "How about we have a romantic swim together?"

"roll."

Chen Jin rolled his eyes.

"twitter!"

Zhang Jiahao took the clothes, used them as a handkerchief, and imitated a palace maid, tossing them over his shoulder and giving Chen Jin a deep bow.

Immediately, he nimbly slipped into the shower stall.

Shortly after.

The sound of splashing water, accompanied by Zhang Jiahao's humming "Xi shua shua xi shua shua," echoed in the lounge.

In this doubles competition, they defeated strong opponents all the way to the finals, and the championship was within their grasp.

How could Zhang Jiahao not be in a great mood?
Excitement that is visible to the naked eye.

"Brother Jin."

Zhang Jiahao suddenly shouted, "Are you going to watch Xie's game later?"

"What's wrong?" Chen Jin asked with a smile, "Why are you suddenly concerned about Lao Xie?"

"cut!"

Zhang Jiahao scoffed, "I wouldn't care about a dog on the street, I just want to see him lose the game."

"What if Lao Xie wins?"

Chen Jin smiled.

"It's impossible for someone surnamed Xie to beat Liang Jingkun unless the sun rises in the west."

Although he said that, Zhang Jiahao had some doubts in his heart. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, "Brother Jin, do you think Xie can beat Liang Jingkun?"

"Best of five games, perhaps still possible."

Chen Jin said, "But a best-of-seven series is unlikely."

According to the format of the Singapore Grand Slam, the quarterfinals are already a best-of-seven series.

"Unlikely?"

Zhang Jiahao stopped scrubbing his back. "So, there's still a chance of winning?"

"Correct."

While washing his hair, Chen Jin said, "Although Liang Jingkun is in good form, his playing style is already set."

"His habit of going backhand and his ability to change lanes proactively are far inferior to Fan Zhendong's, and his lane changes are not as fierce."

"As long as Lao Xie can withstand Liang Jingkun's attacks on the backhand side, seize opportunities to change the direction of the shot, and make good use of the placement of the shots, plus the fighting spirit in the first three shots, winning the first two games against Liang Jingkun should not be a big problem."

"If it's a best-of-five series, you only need to win one of the last three series."

"It's a best-of-seven series, but winning two of the last five games is much more difficult."

"The higher the tolerance for error, the better for Liang Jingkun."

Liang Jingkun has always been a slow starter, known as "the god who controls the comeback from 0-2 down and Coach Zhiqiang's heart".

In fact, this is closely related to Liang Jingkun's playing style and personality.

Sometimes, Liang Jingkun is like a spring; the greater the pressure, the stronger the rebound.

Of course, Xie Mingyang is no less impressive than Liang Jingkun.

However, Xie Mingyang's strength and experience on the field are far inferior to Liang Jingkun's.

Only with youthful passion can one compete with this veteran of the table tennis world.

"Brother Jin, I'm done washing up."

Zhang Jiahao suddenly asked, "How much longer?"

"So fast?"

With his head covered in foam, Chen Jin asked, "What's the rush? What are you up to?"

"I can't wait to see Xie lose and look pathetic."

Zhang Jiahao said, "Just thinking about it makes me feel great, it's so satisfying."

Chen Jin smiled.

Take your time and rinse your hair clean.

"Brother Jin, don't blow-dry your hair."

Zhang Jiahao's voice came again, "I saw someone on the trending topics saying that air drying is better for hair than blow drying."

"Can't even wait thirty seconds, huh?"

Chen Jin changed his clothes and walked out of the shower stall.

Zhang Jiahao was already prepared, his wet hair still dripping water.

He had greased the soles of his feet and couldn't wait to rush out.

When the two arrived at the audience seats.

In the stands.

Overcrowded.

"Go, Sun Yingsha!"

The cheers were deafening, echoing throughout the vast stadium.

Zhang Jiahao picked at his ear and flicked it with his finger: "I shook all the earwax out."

Finally, we found two empty seats in the corner of the back row.

After sitting down, I stared intently at the big screen.

"2:0?"

Zhang Jiahao rubbed his eyes, somewhat incredulous. "Holy crap, is the scoreboard malfunctioning? How come the guy surnamed Xie is leading 2-0?"

It was almost exactly as Chen Jin had predicted.

The second game had just ended.

On the big screen, a highlight reel is playing.

In a backhand exchange with Liang Jingkun, Xie Mingyang showed no fear, suddenly switching to a straight line during the stalemate, catching Liang Jingkun off guard.

A decisive and fierce forehand attack.

It is fast, has a wide angle, and is extremely powerful, like a newborn calf.

In contrast, Liang Jingkun seemed a bit slow to warm up.

Overwhelmed by Xie Mingyang's fast-paced and aggressive style, they were somewhat powerless and made more mistakes.

There was an uproar in the audience.

Even Sun Yingsha's fans were drawn back to the men's team's matches.

"Is Xie really going to pull off an upset?"

Zhang Jiahao felt a mix of emotions.

"Let's see how it goes in the third game."

Chen Jin looked down at Xie Mingyang and Liang Jingkun, who were resting on the sidelines.

This match is important for both of them.

Xie Mingyang needs a victory against Liang Jingkun to prove his worth as a young player.

Liang Jingkun, however, had more ideas.

On the one hand, it is necessary to withstand the challenge from young players to secure his starting position.

On the other hand, he is already quite old.

However, he didn't receive many honors.

In particular, the champions of the three major competitions have yet to win any titles.

Ten years prior, he faced suppression from figures like Zhang Jike, Ma Long, Xu Xin, Fang Bo, and Fan Zhendong, and he lived a precarious existence with no hope of ever rising above his circumstances.

Now that Long Pang has retired, the competition has greatly decreased.

It just so happens that the World Cup and the World Table Tennis Championships are approaching.

Perhaps this is his best chance to win the three major championships.

none of them.

With such lofty ambitions, how can one talk about winning the three major tournaments if one cannot even overcome a young player?

Both players on the field were giving it their all.

The third game became the key to determining the winner.

Liang Jingkun knew he could no longer follow his opponent's rhythm and had to take control of the game.

Therefore, every shot was given more spin.

Utilizing his strong rally skills and solid backhand technique, he forcefully dragged the match into a long rally phase.

As Liang Jingkun gradually regained his composure, he was like a reef in the sea, unmoved by Xie Mingyang's raging waves.

Due to the increased spin, Xie Mingyang dared not change his line rashly and could only engage in a backhand battle with Liang Jingkun.

The score was close, with the ball going back and forth.

Ultimately, Liang Jingkun secured victory with his consistent performance on crucial points.

11: 9.

Pull back a round.

(End of this chapter)