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

Chapter 383 Even if I lose, I will force Wang Chuqin to reveal his tactics for you!

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

The ping-pong ball bounces gently on the table, making a crisp sound.

The once bustling venue suddenly fell silent.

Countless eyes were focused on the competition.

It was nearly 9:30 p.m.

The final match of the Asian Cup men's singles quarterfinals.

The duel between Liang Jingkun and Zhang Benzhihe has reached the brink of life and death.

"Whoo~"

Liang Jingkun wiped the sweat from his forehead with his elbow and glanced at it.

Zhang Benzhihe bent over and stood on the left side of the table, ready to receive the serve.

Toss the ball upwards and draw the racket back.

Wait until the white ball falls and lands in front of you.

Liang Jingkun's wrist suddenly jerked.

"laugh!"

The racket traced a short arc.

next second.

The ping-pong ball, carrying a strong sidespin, skimmed lightly over the top of the net and landed in the small triangle on the right side of the opponent's table.

Tomokazu Harimoto's reaction was also extremely quick.

Step out with your right leg, diagonally.

Seize the opportunity during the mid-to-late descent of the ball, lower your center of gravity, and flick your wrist to create a thin friction.

It must be said that Tomokazu Harimoto, as a top player in the table tennis world, is quite skilled.

With a light scoop, the ball flew out from under the table, bypassed the net, and skimmed towards Liang Jingkun's center line.

The arc is low and flat, with strong rotation and a very shallow landing point.

For a moment, Liang Jingkun was not in a position to take the initiative and launch an attack.

We could only proceed with extreme care, gently lifting each board.

Slightly poor control, the ball went out of bounds.

Zhang Benzhihe moved with incredible speed, his feet moving as if riding the wind, and he had already started moving.

A figure flashed by, sliding to the side.

However, he dared not take any risks when faced with this crucial shot.

After all, the hopes of the entire village are now pinned on his shoulders.

Lower your arm and perform a high-loop motion.

This is the ball we've been waiting for!

Liang Jingkun anticipated the landing point, shifted his body to the side, lowered his center of gravity, and unleashed a powerful forehand counter-attack.
"Snapped!"

The ball flew like a cannonball, blasting through half the table.

The score was frozen in an instant.

14: 12.

The score is 4-2.

Liang Jingkun defeated Zhang Benzhihe to advance to the semifinals.

"Wow—"

Instantly.

The stadium was like a powder keg that had been ignited, with cheers almost lifting the roof off.

Before the competition, Tomokazu Harimoto was considered the biggest foreign opponent for the Chinese national table tennis team in this Asian Cup.

Even the coaching staff is worried about whether Liang Jingkun, given his current form, can withstand the impact of Zhang Benzhihe's attacks.

And now, this victory is undoubtedly the best testament to Liang Jingkun's formidable strength.

VIP area.

Liu Guoliang clapped his hands vigorously, a smile spreading across his face.

Qin Zhijian, Li Xun, and Wang Hao also gave each other a high five.

My nerves, which had been on edge for days, finally relaxed.

He swept all four semifinal spots in the men's singles.

They've already secured the top three spots in the Asian Cup.

This means that the task of raising three national flags simultaneously at the Universiade Center Gymnasium is now a done deal.

Countless small red flags were unfurled on the stands, like a surging crimson ocean.

"China's table tennis team, China's table tennis team, invincible!"

The shouts were unified and synchronized.

One wave after another rises higher.

Looking back at the roaring audience behind him, Liu Guo's smile deepened.

"We've got it all."

Liu Guoliang laughed and said, "The rest depends on who can reach the top tomorrow."

Hear the words.

Wang Hao and his companions couldn't help but turn to look at Chen Jin, who was sitting not far away.

As things stand, Chen Jin's strength is in a league of its own.

They advanced through the Asian Cup by crushing their opponents.

Its power to rule was terrifying.

However, the outcome is still uncertain and the situation is unclear, so the other three all have a chance.

Compared to last year, Liang Jingkun's condition has clearly improved a lot.

Whether it was the Singapore Grand Slam or the Asian Cup, their performance was commendable.

Since Long Pang's retirement, Wang Chuqin, as the designated leader of men's table tennis, has been without a championship for more than half a year since the Paris Olympics.

Even WTT, which used to be a breeze, is now a championship that's hard to come by.

Moreover, this Asian Cup involves raising the national flag, making it far more prestigious than the WTT championship.

Wang Chuqin had long regarded this as the best opportunity for a "triumphant return," and he was full of fighting spirit.

As for Xie Mingyang, having made it to the semi-finals for the first time, he also needs a championship to prove himself.

Moreover, none of the four finalists, including Wang Chuqin and Liang Jingkun, had ever won the Asian Cup singles title.

Therefore, although the semi-finals were an all-Chinese affair, the atmosphere was even more intense.

……

The match ended, and the audience dispersed.

Wang Hao and the others were preparing to return to the hotel when they noticed that Chen Jin seemed to have no intention of leaving.

"how?"

Wang Hao saw right through him. "Want to practice a little longer before you leave?"

"Ah."

Chen Jin nodded.

"alright."

Wang Hao didn't try to persuade him further, but patted him on the shoulder and said, "You have a match tomorrow, go back and rest early. Remember to balance work and rest."

"clear."

After watching Wang Hao and the others leave, Chen Jin hurried to the training hall.

At this moment, the huge training hall was already empty, but it was brightly lit as if it were daytime.

Push the door open and go in.

From afar, Xie Mingyang could be seen all alone, practicing his serve.

Hearing footsteps, Xie Mingyang looked up.

A hint of warmth flickered deep within his seemingly indifferent eyes.

"coming?"

Xie Mingyang stood up straight. "They're here."

As Chen Jin spoke, he took off his coat.

"Thanks."

Xie Mingyang looked grateful.

"That's an exaggeration."

Chen Jin smiled.

While talking.

He walked to the pool table and casually tossed his jacket on the ground.

Immediately, he bent down, took out his racket from his backpack, did a few simple warm-up stretches, and then stood opposite Xie Mingyang.

What are my chances of winning tomorrow's match?

Xie Mingyang was toying with a ping-pong ball in his hand.

"About 30%."

Chen Jin hesitated for a moment.

"Only 30%?"

Xie Mingyang couldn't help but frown.

"The coaching staff is not blind. Wang Chuqin has become the number one player in men's table tennis. Putting aside objective factors, he does have the ability. Outsiders may question him in many ways, but as his opponents, we must admit and acknowledge his strength."

Chen Jin, with both hands supporting him on the table, looked directly at Xie Mingyang and said slowly, "Wang Chuqin's first three shots, backhand topspin, and rallies are all world-class. He is fast and his transitions are smooth, especially in the mid-to-close range."

"To beat him, you either need to control the table and limit his attacking opportunities, or you need to match his speed, move him left and right, and force him to make mistakes while moving."

"Wang Chuqin's shots are aggressive but unstable. As long as you can withstand them, or even force him to retreat from the table, your chances of winning will be very high."

"However, achieving this is by no means easy."

Speaking of which.

Chen Jin paused for a moment before continuing, "Moreover, Wang Chuqin hasn't won a championship in a long time, so he's under a lot of pressure and full of drive."

"Therefore, we will definitely fight with all our might in tomorrow's match."

"This makes it even more difficult to beat him."

Listen quietly to what Chen Jin has to say.

Xie Mingyang's brows furrowed even more.

Indeed, Wang Chuqin's strength is beyond doubt.

In addition, they are full of fighting spirit.

For a newcomer like him to challenge Wang Chuqin was no easy task.

Xie Mingyang was well aware of this.

However, he has never been one to give up easily.

Even if you know you can't win, even if you lose, you should at least make the opponent suffer a lot!

"I heard that during winter training, the coaching staff gave Wang Chuqin extra help and conducted special training for him."

Xie Mingyang looked at Chen Jin, "Some of these are specifically targeted at you."

“I know, Coach Wang talked to me about this in private.”

Chen Jin shrugged, looking completely indifferent. "So what? What can I do?"

"Actually, I also want to see how effective Wang Chuqin's training is."

"It would be a good thing to have Wang Chuqin help us identify and fill in the gaps."

A calm smile, brimming with confidence.

His nonchalant attitude made Xie Mingyang even more uneasy.

No matter how much research or strategy you employ, I remain confident that I will defeat you.

Perhaps, this is the true attitude of a strong person.

"I will give it my all in tomorrow's match and fight with all my might."

A flame seemed to flicker in Xie Mingyang's eyes as he solemnly said, "Even if I lose, I will force Wang Chuqin to reveal some of his tactics and techniques for you."

……

The next day.

Eleven o'clock in the morning.

After a night of rest, the Asian Cup semi-finals resumed at the Universiade Center Gymnasium.

The first matchup was between Chen Jin and Liang Jingkun.

Amidst cheers from the crowd.

Liang Jingkun walked into the arena.

His steps were steady, and his eyes were sharp.

The immense confidence he gained from defeating Tomokazu Harimoto yesterday was clearly visible on his face.

His brows furrowed with a surge of high morale.

Standing in the rest area by the court, Liang Jingkun stretched his shoulders and neck, his eyes fixed intently on the table tennis table in the center of the court.

He was like a cheetah poised to pounce, full of anticipation.

He is now nearly thirty years old.

Throughout his entire career, he was overshadowed by Long Pang and found it difficult to make a name for himself.

Having finally endured the long wait until Long Pang retired from the competition, it was time to work hard.

At his age, if he cannot make further progress during the Los Angeles cycle, his professional career may come to an end.

Therefore, every game is important to him.

Of course, the pressure in this match is greater than that in yesterday's match against Tomokazu Harimoto.

Prior to this, the two had faced off several times, and Liang Jingkun had never won.

"Hopefully this time, we can achieve a breakthrough and shake Chen Jin's undefeated record."

Liang Jingkun couldn't help but look up at the seemingly frail young figure opposite him.

Originally, the withdrawal of Long Pang, who had jointly suppressed the world table tennis scene for ten years, was thought to be the beginning of a new era of competition.

Who would have thought that a sixteen-year-old boy would suddenly appear out of nowhere, replacing Long Pang with his invincible style, assisting the Chinese national table tennis team, and continuing to dominate the world table tennis arena.

This child's appearance has disrupted the plans of many people.

This naturally includes Liang Jingkun.

"Am I going to follow in the footsteps of Fang Bo, Zhou Yu, and Yan An?"

Back then, these three were known as the "92line," second only to the Three Musketeers.

Unexpectedly, Fan Zhendong appeared out of nowhere.

The 92line's failure to gain traction became a major regret for Chinese table tennis fans.

The appearance of Chen Jin seemed even more terrifying than that of Fan Zhendong at the time.

At this moment, Chen Jin had already stood quietly on the sidelines, doing his final warm-up stretches.

The movements were fluid and graceful, and the breathing was even and long.

It was as if the surrounding noise had nothing to do with him.

His eyes were calm yet profound, like a still, deep well.

"Time".

With the referee's reminder.

Both contestants, please enter the arena quickly.

"Liang Jingkun!"

"come on--"

……

"come on!"

"Liang Jingkun—"

……

The composition of the fans at the scene is self-evident.

(End of this chapter)