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

Chapter 382: Xie Mingyang defeats Togami Hayabusa! He advances to the semifinals!

Break between games.

Xie Mingyang, panting heavily, his jersey soaked with sweat, walked to the sidelines with a slight frown.

At this moment, Liu Zhiqiang immediately handed over a water bottle.

"It's okay, you played very well."

Liu Zhiqiang's tone was firm yet trusting: "Togami's desperate fighting style looks fierce, but it consumes a lot of energy and won't last long."

"Next, let's not go head-to-head with him, there's no need for that. Let's strengthen our control of the table and focus on whether the serve has spin or not, so that it's difficult for him to take the initiative."

"When receiving a serve, if you can place the ball, do so; control his forehand; if you can chop, do so; give him position to chase his body; slow down and disrupt his rhythm. As long as he can't generate power comfortably and can't get into position, he'll have no ball at all."

"When the game is going well, whether it's forehand or backhand, hold the mid-to-close range, use your speed to suppress him, open up the landing points, let him run as fast as he can, and exhaust his stamina."

"Isn't he supposed to be a fast runner? Anyway, it's a best-of-seven series, let him run as much as he wants, right?"

"We're in the lead, so we're not panicking at all. It's Togami who's panicking. We just need to play the game we practiced and not get caught up in their rhythm."

"Very good, you played very well."

"Pay attention to the landing point and the connection."

"come on!"

Xie Mingyang didn't speak, but listened quietly, nodding vigorously, his eyes becoming increasingly determined.

He took a sip of water and wiped his sweat with a towel.

He quickly reviewed the tactical points Liu Zhiqiang had just mentioned in his mind.

the other side.

Hayato Togami was also panting heavily, drinking water as he listened to Seiya Kishikawa's tactical instructions.

His eyes remained fierce, but the violent heaving of his chest clearly indicated that he had exhausted a great deal of energy.

"Run, move, keep attacking, you can beat him..."

Seiya Kishikawa continued to encourage him.

The fourth game.

Xie Mingyang resolutely implemented the tactical arrangements, controlling the area and limiting Togami Hayabusa's proactive attacks.

The combination of long and short attacks, along with the unpredictable landing points, made it difficult for Togami Hayasuke to cope for a while.

After several rounds, Togami Hayabusa's footwork was noticeably less swift than before.

Xie Mingyang seized the opportunity, changed the rhythm, and decisively took the lead.

With powerful forehand smashes and explosive backhand rips, his attacks are sharp and swift, yet they also feature more variations in placement.

The score quickly widened.

Xie Mingyang's performance improved with each game, and he had a very high rate of playing time.

On the other hand, Togami Hayato became increasingly impatient as the score gap continued to widen.

With more mistakes, the success rate in combat has plummeted.

11: 5.

Xie Mingyang won the fourth game cleanly and decisively, taking a 3-1 lead in the overall score.

victory is in sight.

"Boiled!"

Li Zhiqiang clenched his fist and roared in a deep voice.

Fifth game.

With his back to the wall, Togami Hayabusa's eyes revealed a near-desperate madness.

He knew that this was now a true life-or-death situation!

He immediately set himself on fire, playing even more aggressively and recklessly than in the third game.

Speed, power, landing point... all have been elevated to a new level, with each shot carrying the determination to perish together.

The reverse twisting motion is like a bullet being fired from a gun.

His forehand smash was like a thunderbolt.

His footwork was as if he were riding the wind.

With each move, his eyes were filled with the crimson light of his comrades.

Like the legendary "Blood Burst," it involves burning one's life essence in exchange for a brief burst of power.

As it turns out, Togami Hayabusa's playing style was flawless.

Xie Mingyang felt immense pressure facing Toshio, who was like a mad dog.

His opponent's speed and strength suddenly increased, making it difficult for him to cope.

Fortunately, Xie Mingyang was no ordinary person.

Seeing the fierce fighting of Togami also stirred his own blood.

The two on the field were like a white-clad swordsman dueling with a Japanese samurai, their swords flashing and their moves in a fierce and unpredictable battle.

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

9: 9.

10: 10.

11: 11.

12: 12.

13: 13.

14: 14.

Every point was a nail-biter.

The audience was on the edge of their seats, holding their breath.

Even the cheers for Wang Chuqin from next door quieted down considerably, drawn by the fierce battle raging on this side.

Xie Mingyang gritted his teeth, his eyes fierce, and tried his best to adjust his landing point to stay close to the platform, using speed to maneuver.

However, when Togami Hayato is in a "burst blood" state, the quality of his returns is ridiculously high.

Several balls hit the white line on the edge of the table or grazed the net.

Luck seemed to be on his side.

14:15.
Hayato Togami has once again secured match point.

It was Xie Mingyang's turn to serve.

A long, sharp shot aimed straight at the baseline of Togami Hayabusa's forehand side.

Togami Hayabusa reacted with lightning speed, taking a cross step to the side and unleashing an extremely powerful counter-attack with his forehand.

"Snapped!"

The ball flew like a meteor, heading straight for Xie Mingyang's backhand.

Xie Mingyang seemed to have anticipated this, and with an extreme sliding step, he managed to execute a super wide diagonal backhand shot while almost losing his balance.
—The President's Ball!
The ball, with a strong sidespin, traced a strange arc and landed just barely grazing the edge of the table.

15: 15.

"nice shot!"

Liu Zhiqiang clenched his fists and shouted with wild joy.

Switch sides and serve.

Xie Mingyang hit a short ball, but the return was slightly high.

Togami Hayabusa's backhand forward thrust halfway out of bounds.

The ball moves as fast as lightning.

Xie Mingyang reacted instinctively and managed a weak block with his forehand, sending the ball flying high into the air.

"Chance!"

Togami Hayabusa prepares his forehand attack.

Snapped!
A powerful dunk.

15: 16.

Hayato Togami once again took the lead and reached game point.

And the next ball.

Whether due to nervousness or excessive pressure, Xie Mingyang made a fatal service error.

17: 15.

The score is 2-3.

"Boiled!"

Togami Hayasuke roared to the sky, his veins bulging.

He was already standing on the edge of a cliff.

But they used this explosive fighting style to keep the suspense of the game going.

He made a crucial service error, and even Xie Mingyang, who was usually very calm, showed some signs of nervousness.

He put down his racket, picked up a towel, and walked to the sidelines, his face pale.

"It's okay, you played very well."

Liu Zhiqiang's voice was calm and steady, with a kind of unwavering confidence that saw through the essence of things: "Don't be intimidated by Togami. The way he played just now was burning, it was overdrawing his strength."

"He's fighting so fiercely because he's afraid of you, so we should be even more confident."

"At most, Togami can only last this one game. He's already at his limit and has exhausted all his tricks."

"The next part of the game will be our offensive phase."

"Unleash your power, break the seal, and fight him!"

"Unleash your full firepower and power, bombard him relentlessly, and bring him down."

"I'm sure he can't stop you."

"He's ruthless, but we'll be ruthless even more so!"

Liu Zhiqiang's words were like a shot of adrenaline, injected into Xie Mingyang's heart.

Xie Mingyang looked up and saw the unquestionable trust on Liu Zhiqiang's face. The gloom in his heart was instantly dispelled.

Yes, the opponent's burst damage playstyle is like Tryndamere unleashing his ultimate, instantly becoming a "real man" for five seconds. How could that possibly last?

Moreover, with a large lead, we have a higher margin for error than our opponents, so what is there to worry about?
It was just a minor service error, why take it to heart?
Xie Mingyang took a deep breath: "The Asian Cup semi-finals and the World Cup ticket are just one step away."

"Opportunities are presented to us, and we must seize them firmly and never let them slip away!"

Think of this.

Deep within those dark pupils, the flames of war reignited.

As the referee raised his hand to remind him.

The sixth game has officially begun. As expected.

After the explosive score in the previous game, Togami Hayabusa's "explosive health" state quickly dissipated like a receding tide.

The footwork was noticeably slower.

Although he still wanted to fight, he was like a middle-aged man whose strength, speed, and reaction time had all plummeted.

The reverse twist is weak and powerless.

A powerful forehand smash, shifting the center of gravity upwards.

It's like a car with its fuel tank empty; even if you floor the accelerator, it can't unleash its original power.

Xie Mingyang's eyes were sharp, and his actions were decisive.

With serves and aggressive attacks, his forehand smashes are like cannonballs, frequently blasting through Hu's defense.

His serve was received with a twist and pull, and his backhand rip was as fast as lightning, repeatedly cleaving the opponent's landing point.

Power, speed, spin, arc, landing point... all were displayed to the fullest extent under Xie Mingyang's control, firmly controlling the rhythm of the game.

The score gap widened rapidly.

从5：1到7：2，从7：2到9：3，谢名扬一路高歌猛进，势如破竹。

Togami Hayabusa was struggling in the mud. Although he could occasionally score a point or two with his experience and touch, he could never launch a continuous attack or counterattack like before.

Even the resistance is growing weaker and weaker.

10:3.
Set point, also match point.

Xie Mingyang has the right to serve.

"Da da da, da da da..."

Letting the little white ball bounce gently on the stage, making a crisp sound, Xie Mingyang glanced at the opposite side before grabbing it.

"Whoo~"

At this crucial moment, even someone as composed as him couldn't help but feel nervous.

Even her hands were trembling slightly.

Xie Mingyang let out a long breath, forcibly suppressing his inner tension.

Toss the ball and prepare to swing.

Reverse spin, short forehand.

Although the score difference was too large to reverse, a fierce glint flashed in Togami Hayato's eyes, and he did not give up.

Step forward and seize the landing point.

Lower your shoulders and raise your elbows.

"laugh!"

Backhand power twist in a straight line.

The ping-pong ball suddenly transformed into an arrow, spinning intensely as it shot straight towards Xie Mingyang's backhand.

Xie Mingyang held the board down and tore the diagonal lines in the opposite direction.

Togami Hayabusa reacted extremely quickly, rapidly returning to defend the left half of the table and blocking the first shot.

However, Xie Mingyang clearly did not want to get entangled with him any further.

Slide to the side and prepare to swing.

Predict the trajectory of the incoming ball.

Push off the ground and twist your waist.

Swing your arm and unleash a powerful forehand smash.

"Snapped!"

The sound of the ball hitting the shuttlecock was deafening.

Like thunder, it pierced straight to the center of the sky.

The ping-pong ball drew an exaggerated sidespin arc in mid-air and slammed into Togami Hayato's right side of the table, changing its trajectory.

Hayato Togami lunged forward to save the ball.

Unfortunately, the distance was too far and the pace was too slow.

Before he could catch up, the ball had already whistled away.

11: 3.

competition is over!

"Zhu--"

Xie Mingyang clenched his fists and roared to the sky.

All the tension and pressure transformed into the ecstasy of victory at this moment.

In this crucial Asian Cup quarter-final match, he withstood the pressure and defeated the formidable opponent, Hayato Togami, with a score of 4-2, advancing proudly into the semi-finals.

more importantly.

This victory also means that he has secured a precious spot in the Macau World Cup singles competition by virtue of his own strength, fair and square!

"Boiled!"

The usually calm Xie Mingyang couldn't help but roar and howl again.

The audience was deeply moved.

Cheers and applause surged toward him like a tidal wave, celebrating his achievement.

Courtside.

Liu Zhiqiang jumped up excitedly and clapped his hands vigorously: "This kid is a promising talent, both in terms of ability and mentality."

In the stands.

Liu Guoliang, Qin Zhijian, Li Xun, and Wang Hao all wore relieved smiles and applauded.

"Played well."

Liu Guoliang nodded and smiled, "They actually made it to the semi-finals."

"Yes."

Qin Zhijian laughed and said, "Hushang is no pushover. It was really not easy to win against them."

"It looks like our men's team has gained another promising talent."

Li Xun turned to Wang Hao and said, "Congratulations."

"Keep honing your skills, and the future is bright."

Wang Hao laughed.

Chen Jin, standing to the side, watched Xie Mingyang cheering on the field, a genuine smile appearing on his lips.

His smile held appreciation, but also a calm acceptance of what was right.

"After several major competitions, Lao Xie's skills have improved again."

Chen Jin smiled slightly, his face full of anticipation, "Old Xie, I wonder if we'll be able to meet in the finals this time?"

The two have not faced each other in a real competition since the World Youth Championship.

This Asian Cup is probably in jeopardy as well.

After all, Xie Mingyang's opponents in the semifinals will be either Wang Chuqin or Lin Shidong.

Compared to these two, Xie Mingyang was ultimately lacking in experience.

Especially when facing Wang Chuqin.

"If it were Lin Shidong, there might still be a sliver of hope, but if it were Wang Chuqin..."

Just as Chen Jin was thinking this.

Sudden.

An even louder cheer erupted throughout the stadium.

"Wow--"

"Wang Chuqin!"

"Wang Chuqin!"

"Wang Chuqin!"

Chen Jin looked in the direction of the sound.

But the match at table number 2 had already ended.

Wang Chuqin and Lin Shidong are shaking hands.

Let's look at the score.

11: 8.

9: 11.

11: 7.

7: 11.

11: 9.

13: 11.

Wang Chuqin also defeated Lin Shidong, who was playing away from home, with a score of 4-2, and successfully advanced to the semi-finals.

Back on the sidelines, Lin Shidong silently packed his things, his face showing disappointment, but his eyes remained stubborn.

As he left the stadium, he bowed slightly to the audience, though there was little response.

Watching Lin Shidong's departing figure, Wang Hao sighed softly.

"Is the next opponent Wang Chuqin?"

A look of excitement suddenly appeared on Xie Mingyang's previously tired face.

His eyes sharpened instantly, and the joy of his recent victory was replaced by a renewed fighting spirit.

Regardless of external criticism or praise, Wang Chuqin is now a leading figure in the new generation of Chinese table tennis.

If he wants to break into the main team, Wang Chuqin is an obstacle he must overcome.

"Finally, I'll get to fight Wang Chuqin."

Xie Mingyang was more excited than nervous. "As long as I beat him, I can make it to the finals and face Chen Jin again."

Although Chen Jin has advanced to the semifinals, the match between Liang Jingkun and Zhang Benzhihe has not yet started, so the final matchups in the upper half of the bracket remain unclear.

However, Xie Mingyang had already assumed that Chen Jin had made it to the finals.

Without a doubt, the battle against Wang Chuqin will be a tough one.

At the same time, it is also a battle to prove himself.

(End of this chapter)