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

Chapter 410 Go for it! Get the momentum going!
Xie Mingyang was down 0-3 at the start of the game.

In the audience, in a back corner, Zhang Jiahao's brows were furrowed like a twisted rope.

His clenched fists nearly broke his thigh.

"Damn it, what is Xie up to?"

Zhang Jiahao looked utterly exasperated, wishing he could roll up his sleeves, grab his racket, and jump onto the court to replace Xie Mingyang. "You can't even throw a ball that's practically handed to you?"

"Which teachers did you secretly peek at in bed last night? Your hands and legs were so weak... You were even lying on your side, couldn't you keep your balance?"

Chen Jin glanced at Zhang Jiahao, who was furious and powerless, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

"Old Xie is too eager to win."

Chen Jin's gaze shifted, calmly passing through the crowd to land on Xie Mingyang. "On the contrary, he's a bit hesitant."

After all, the World Cup is different from a commercial sporting event.

It's normal to be nervous if it's your first time participating.

In a four-set system, the first two sets are crucial.

Even if we lose, the score difference shouldn't be too bad.

Otherwise, even if the score is tied 2-2, the opponent will advance to the knockout stage due to their advantage in points.

This is the cruel reality of the World Cup format.

"It's okay to lose the first game, as long as you don't lose too badly. Adjust your mindset as soon as possible."

Chen Jin said in a deep voice, "In that case, Lao Xie still has a chance..."

The words were not finished.

Then Zhang Jiahao spat on the ground: "Damn it, we lost another goal, it's now 0-5."

"Hey Xie, where did your rampage in Incheon go?"

"This start... is like crap."

Amid Zhang Jiahao's cursing.

In just seven or eight minutes.

The first game was over.

11: 5.

Zhang Benzhihe took the first game.

Just as Chen Jin said, Xie Mingyang was too eager to win, and his fighting style was ruthless.

However, he wasn't in top form, which led to more mistakes.

On several occasions, Tomokazu Harimoto was able to win because he capitalized on Xie Mingyang's unforced errors.

In contrast, Tomokazu Harimoto is steady yet ruthless, fighting without being hasty or impatient.

When the time is right, it's like a thunderbolt.

The transition was seamless.

"The guy surnamed Xie was stunned by Zhang Ben's beating."

Zhang Jiahao gritted his teeth, "We only won by five points in the first game... five points!"

This leaves Xie Mingyang with only three games left, and he cannot afford to lose any of them.

Chen Jin didn't speak again, but his brows furrowed even more, and the worry in his eyes was so deep that it couldn't be dispelled.

In their previous two encounters, Xie Mingyang decisively defeated Zhang Benzhihe, earning him the reputation of being Zhang Benzhihe's "nemesis" in the domestic media.

The higher you are lifted, the more likely you are to be smashed to pieces when you fall.

If Xie Mingyang loses to Tomokazu Harimoto in this World Cup, all the praise he received will instantly turn into a backlash and ridicule.

What's more, Xie Mingyang also won against someone he shouldn't have won against.

At that point, those undercurrents of public opinion will likely immediately turn into a raging tide that will completely engulf him.

On the playing field.

The rest area on the sidelines.

Wang Hao stared intently at Xie Mingyang, his voice low and rapid.

"Being fierce was the right thing to do, and the beating was justified."

As Wang Hao handed over the water bottle, he said, "But not every shot requires you to risk your life. A good shot is one that's relaxed and controlled."

"Like that 3-8 ball, it's already close to your body and you force your body to turn to the side. If the quality isn't good, the opponent will hit a straight shot... smack, it's over."

"Instead of doing that, it's better to defend with a backhand, or take a half step back and tear him apart, right? It's less awkward to generate power, and you still have the initiative, isn't it?"

Although Wang Hao spoke at an extremely fast pace, every word was like a bullet, hitting Xie Mingyang's chaotic core.

"Also, when receiving serves, don't keep going short with him. If you keep going back and forth, he'll control the rhythm."

"If you suddenly throw him a long ball down the middle, he can only hang it, and the quality will definitely be low. Isn't that your opportunity? Right?"

Wang Hao gestured and made movements, his tone encouraging, "Focus on whether your serve has spin or not, and vary the landing point. Don't always use the same spot on your forehand. You can use the middle, backhand, and small corner."

"Don't worry about being pulled by Zhang Ben. He's not that fierce. The key is not to give the initiative to your opponent, but to keep it in your own hands."

"You played very well. Ah, don't rush to steal the ball. As long as you play what you practice in training, Zhang Ben is no match for you."

"When you win, don't hold it in, shout it out loud, show your full spirit!"

"Go for it! Let's take him down!"

Wang Hao's words were like a shot of adrenaline, injecting into Xie Mingyang's previously somewhat chaotic nerves.

"Whoo~"

Xie Mingyang took a deep breath, his eyes still sharp.

The second round begins.

Xie Mingyang served first.

A sudden, unexpected long-range shot aimed directly at Tomokazu Harimoto's pursuit position.

Zhang Benzhihe clearly hadn't expected that his body would be blocked by the ball, and in his haste, he could only awkwardly flick the ball upwards.

The arc was high and graceful, landing on Xie Mingyang's right side of the platform.

opportunity!

Without the slightest hesitation, Xie Mingyang adjusted himself with small, quick steps, instantly twisting his waist and abdomen, and lashing out his arm like a whip.

"Snapped!"

The racket in his hand seemed to slash out like a sharp sword.

A white light exploded, like a rainbow piercing the sun, shooting towards the far corner of Zhang Benzhihe's forehand baseline.

Zhang Benzhihe made a diving counter-attack and pulled back to the middle.

Xie Mingyang used the opponent's force against them, then used a backhand diagonal shot to instantly break through the left half of the table.

1: 0.

"Choo-hoo!"

"Zhu--"

Xie Mingyang clenched his fist and roared.

This roar seemed to dispel all the tension and pressure that had accumulated within him.

The key point is that this one point was like a key, unlocking Xie Mingyang's shackles.

To help him regain his confidence.

During the stalemate, he stopped being impatient for quick results.

Instead, it steadily protects the tabletop, controls the circuit, and lands in tricky spots.

Zhang Benzhihe's attack remained fierce, but Xie Mingyang's defense was rock solid.

However, when the opportunity arises, Xie Mingyang's attack is like a cannonball, precise and deadly.

The score went back and forth, but Xie Mingyang clearly regained control of the game's rhythm.

Xie Mingyang scored with a clean and decisive backhand quick cross-court shot.

The score of the second game was 11-7.

The score is 1-1.

Xie Mingyang won a game back.

"Choo-hoo!"

"Bang—" Zhang Jiahao clenched his fists, leaped up, and roared angrily from the stands.

It was as if he himself had won the game.

"Damn it, Xie, you've finally stood up for yourself."

Zhang Jiahao sat down again and let out a long breath. "It's good to win a game back, but when you consider the total points... the hole we dug in the first game was still a bit too big."

"We lost by 6 points in the first game and won by 4 points in this game, resulting in a net loss of 2 points."

In contrast, Chen Jin was more composed: "Take it slow, there will be plenty of opportunities."

After a short break, the third game resumed.

Despite losing the second game, Tomokazu Harimoto showed no emotion on his face, but his eyes became even more focused and cold.

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

Sudden.

A fast and long shot went straight for Xie Mingyang's backhand corner.

"!"

Xie Mingyang reacted extremely quickly, almost instantly retreating backward.

But in the rush, they were still blocked by the long ball.

He managed a barely manageable backhand flick.

歘——

The ball flew off the table.

1: 0.

Immediately following, the second serve.

Just like Tomokazu Harimoto, he stole a long ball again.

Although Xie Mingyang was prepared this time and managed to save the ball, the quality of his shot was slightly lower and the arc was too high.

Tomokazu Harimoto had already slid to the side, shifting his center of gravity forward like a cheetah, his arms moving with lightning speed.

"Snapped!"

Forehand smash.

0: 2.

Zhang Benzhihe's roar echoed through the venue once again.

"They stole two of my long balls..."

Xie Mingyang frowned slightly.

At this moment.

Wang Hao's voice rang out: "Focus! Keep your eyes on the ball!"

Switch sides and serve.

The middle path is short.

Side down.

Zhang Benzhihe moved forward lightly, as if to twist and pull.

However, just as the topspin motion was halfway through, his wrist suddenly flicked, and the angle of the racket changed instantly.

The ping-pong ball, with an unexpected arc and strong sidespin, landed in Xie Mingyang's middle.

Xie Mingyang was prepared to counter Zhang Ben's topspin, but the change in this shot disrupted his prediction.

Immediately, it was restarted.

Taking the initiative is already too late.

He could only manage a weak counter-attack.

The ball soared high into the air.

Tomokazu Harimoto had moved to the optimal position, his body stretched out, his forehand raised high, and he unleashed a powerful smash.

"Snapped!"

The ball, like a meteor, slammed onto Xie Mingyang's table and bounced away with astonishing force.

0: 3.

"Damn it, it's 0-3 again!"

Zhang Jiahao gritted his teeth, as if each word was being spat out from between his teeth, "Is it the same script as the first round again?"

"Poke long... stick to defense... tear back..."

"Pretty!"

"At 1-3, we must keep a close eye on Zhang Ben's serve and prevent him from getting a long serve."

"Damn it... Xie, didn't I just remind you to watch for long balls? You ate one again!"

"Damn it, another one... Hey Xie, couldn't you just turn to face him?"

The third game was crucial.

Xie Mingyang is in trouble again, getting off to a bad start and the score is quickly widened.

Wang Hao made a quick decision and called a pause.

"Don't panic, stay calm, watch Zhang Ben's serve carefully, and hold on tight."

Wang Hao's expression turned serious. "Don't let his little tricks steal your soul. You'll get it back, bit by bit!"

"If he dares to steal, then you better step aside and charge at him like there's no tomorrow!"

Xie Mingyang wiped his sweat and nodded vigorously.

The pause ends.

By launching two aggressive serves, Xie Mingyang stabilized the situation and won back two points.

3: 5.

Tomokazu Harimoto serves.

He turned his body slightly to the side, his gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping over Xie Mingyang's position.

Toss the ball and prepare to swing.

He subtly flicked his wrist.

Another long ball aimed at the forehand side.

But this time, Xie Mingyang's eyes, like radar, were locked onto Zhang Ben's every move.

"Again?"

"You've become addicted to stealing, haven't you?"

The instant the opponent's ball left his racket, Xie Mingyang's body was like a spring compressed to its limit. He suddenly pushed off the ground with his left foot, unleashing amazing power as he leaped out.

sideways!

Start the shot!

The movements were swift and fluid.

Xie Mingyang's right hand was like a fully drawn bowstring.

The core muscles of the waist and abdomen suddenly explode.
Twist your waist and thrust your hips forward.

call--

The racket, harnessing the power of the entire body, strikes the incoming ball with thunderous force.

"Snapped!"

Like a thunderclap.

The ping-pong ball transformed into a white afterimage that was difficult to detect with the naked eye, carrying terrifying spin and speed, and slammed straight towards Tomokazu Harimoto's backhand corner.

Tomokazu Harimoto's reaction was incredibly fast; he moved his body to its limit and extended his racket to the desired position.

However, the power and spin of that ball were simply too overwhelming.

The moment the racket made contact, it flew high off the table like an out-of-control bullet.

4: 5.

(End of this chapter)