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

Chapter 418 I told you to guard half of the area, and it's either windy or rainy.
silence.

Deathly silence.

The fans at the scene were filled with disbelief.

The score was 3-1, and the deciding game was 10-7... How could a Brazilian have reversed the score?!

I can understand Brazil making it to the World Cup final in football, but this is table tennis!

Is this an attempt to overthrow the Heavenly Gang?

On the other side of the table.

Wang Chuqin, who was highly anticipated before the competition, lost his half of the draw, which seemed to be a repeat of the Paris Olympics.

Fortunately, this time it's not the top 32.

Compared to the Olympics, this is a significant improvement.

However, as the standard-bearer of men's table tennis, it is somewhat unreasonable that he failed to defend his own half of the draw in such an important competition.

Moreover, aside from leading 3-1 in the overall score, Hugo won three consecutive games, and then, after leading 10-7 in the deciding game, Hugo won five more match points.

In this situation, someone else might have already felt remorse and blamed themselves.

But Wang Chuqin had a great attitude; he could even stick out his tongue and laugh.

The moment the game ended.

The hashtag #WangChuqin's journey ends in the World Cup semi-finals# has already gone viral.

Online opinion was in an uproar.

"Losing half the zone again? You're such a pain! I told you to defend half the zone, and it's either windy or rainy."

"They lost half of the draw again? Is this guy even worthy of being the top player in Chinese table tennis? Did they waste their money on the Paris tournament?"

"Dice Guy never disappoints when it comes to being disappointing."

"Back in the day, Zhang Jike could hold his own in half of the draw even when he was barely alive. Now look at the men's table tennis team, it's just... indescribable..."

"Returning to zero, returning to zero, all returning to zero, this is all JLZ's blessing."

"Letting a team from the top 32 hold half of the bracket, isn't that making things difficult for my brother Chu Sheng? [doge emoji for protection]"

"Luckily, the upper half of the bracket is an internal battle, which guarantees a spot in the finals; otherwise, we would have lost face big time."

"In the upper half of the bracket, there's a veteran in his thirties and a young player in his early twenties... Teammates under pressure, they're quite skilled at gambles."

"YYSY, Guozi is really amazing in this World Cup. He won three knockout rounds and ranked in the top four. Except for Chen Jin, he lost to everyone else."

"This is the first time in the history of American table tennis that someone has reached the finals of one of the three major tournaments, right? It's truly historic."

"At 8 PM, Chen Jin will face Liang Jingkun. If there are no surprises, Chen Jin should advance to the finals."

"Go Chen Jin, it's all up to you!"

"If Chen Jin also loses to Hugo, then Hugo will truly be considered a god."

"Go Chen Jin! Go Liang Jingkun! Go men's table tennis team! The venue is Macau, we absolutely cannot let the Portuguese national anthem be played here!"

……

Galaxy Variety Hall.

There was a moment of silence.

Sudden.

A sharp female voice rang out throughout the venue: "Wang Chuqin, you're the best!"

Followed by.

Countless voices, all in unison.

"Wang Chuqin, you're the best!"

"Wang Chuqin, you're the best!"

Like a flash flood, it emerged clearly and instantly submerged every corner of the stadium.

Zhang Jiahao looked around, picked at his ear with his left pinky, and said with a hint of sarcasm, "The best person fell in the semi-finals... Are these fans here to comfort us or to mock us?"

The words have not yet fallen.

At this moment, on the big screen, Wang Chuqin was seen sticking out his tongue and laughing, as if he was taking advantage of being favored and acting cute.

"Laughing and joking is tantamount to suicide."

Zhang Jiahao curled his lip, "Coach Liu's golden words will never be outdated."

"Hugo's condition is a bit too intense."

Xie Mingyang nodded, a hint of seriousness in his expression.

For Hugo, this match was not just a simple victory, but a stunning comeback.

The boost to morale is particularly significant.

Moreover, Hugo, who had defeated three opponents single-handedly, exuded an unprecedented level of confidence.

This confidence is what's most terrifying during a match.

Xie Mingyang turned his head and looked at Chen Jin beside him.

The boy before them had a calm expression, as if deep in thought.

His gaze was focused, fixed on the empty table, as if the invisible ball was still moving back and forth.

"What are you thinking about?"

Xie Mingyang couldn't help but ask.

"Contest."

Chen Jin's gaze remained fixed on Hugo, his voice as calm as a still well, "If it were me, what tactics would I use to defeat Hugo?"

"You're already thinking about the finals?"

Xie Mingyang's expression immediately relaxed considerably.

"As you know, the semi-final match between me and Kun Ge didn't start until 8 PM."

Chen Jin then withdrew his gaze and smiled slightly, "Who will make it to the finals is still uncertain."

Although he had never lost to Liang Jingkun before.

But that's all in the past.

This moment, that moment.

He never underestimates any opponent, not even his teammates with whom he spends every day.

"No, you absolutely have to make it to the finals."

Xie Mingyang lowered his voice, his tone more serious than ever before, "Only you can defeat Hugo."

Hugo's victory over three opponents was a display of incredible momentum.

The Liang Jingkun of today has lost his youthful vigor, and his fighting style is no longer as frenzied and violent as it once was; instead, he has become more composed.

Faced with Hugo, it would be difficult to continue.

Therefore, Xie Mingyang believes that Chen Jin has a higher chance of winning than Liang Jingkun.

……

VIP viewing area.

The atmosphere was heavy, as if filled with lead.

Liu Guoliang leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his face as gloomy as if a storm was about to break.

Qin Zhijian, Li Xun, Liu Zhiqiang, and others remained silent.

A solemn expression settled over the faces of everyone present.

His brows were furrowed, and he didn't dare to even breathe loudly.

After a long time.

Liu Guoliang slowly broke the silence, his voice low and slightly hoarse: "What do you think?"

"Big Head..."

Qin Zhijian opened his mouth, wanting to say a few words in defense of Wang Chuqin.

Unexpectedly, Liu Guoliang raised his hand to interrupt him.

"Now is not the time to hold a debriefing meeting."

Liu Guoliang sat up straight, his expression serious. "The most important thing now is tomorrow's final."

"The loss of the lower half of the bracket is a foregone conclusion, and no amount of discussion can change that."

"What we need to think about now is that Hugo has made it to the finals, and judging from his form, he's not easy to beat."

He paused, then looked around at everyone, "Who do you think has a better chance of winning against Yu, Chen Jin or Liang Jingkun?"

This problem is like a boulder thrown into stagnant water.

Qin Zhijian and Li Jun exchanged a glance subconsciously, then turned their gazes to Liu Zhiqiang beside them.

"?"

Suddenly drawn to several pairs of eyes, Liu Zhiqiang's body visibly stiffened.

ponder for a moment.

Liu Zhiqiang forced a smile and said, "Judging from the current situation... it should be Chen Jin."

"Liang Jingkun's current playing style is no longer that of the violent and impactful big fat guy he used to be. Instead, he is more stable and focuses on control."

Liu Zhiqiang said, "If we were to face a fighter like Hugo who fights fiercely, I'm afraid we would have a hard time holding on."

"On the other hand, Chen Jin has never lost a game since his debut. He has comprehensive skills, a balanced forehand and backhand, and is fast and versatile."

"More importantly, although he is young, he has an excellent competitive spirit, dares to fight hard in critical moments, and has a mental stability beyond his age."

"Youthful vigor may be more valuable than experience in such a crucial final where everything is at stake."

“So I think Chen Jin is more trustworthy than Da Pang.” Listening quietly, Liu Guoliang’s brows did not relax; instead, they furrowed even more.

He leaned back and lightly tapped his thigh with his fingers.

"It is precisely because Chen Jin has never lost that I am even more worried."

Liu Guoliang frowned. "Before this, Chen Jin had never played against Hugo before, and was completely unfamiliar with Hugo's style of play. He basically had zero experience."

“Liang Jingkun has already clashed with Hugo several times and is more experienced.”

"Secondly, Chen Jin lacks experience in major tournament finals. If he loses, wouldn't our national table tennis team have lost a great player for nothing?"

"In comparison, Liang Jingkun is much more experienced, has fought all kinds of tough battles, and has a stronger mental fortitude..."

In fact, his concerns were not unfounded.

However, Liu Zhiqiang still had his own opinion: "Although Chen Jin is young, he is better than Da Pang in terms of both strength and mentality."

"Even in the face of unexpected situations on the field, his ability to adjust and adapt is astonishingly fast, absolutely no less than that of Big Fat, and may even be stronger."

"His 'never losing' is not luck, but the result of solid strength and an exceptional mindset."

"At times like these, we need a sharp knife that can withstand pressure and break the deadlock, and Chen Jin is that sharpest knife!"

As Liang Jingkun's head coach and Chen Jin's off-court mentor, Liu Zhiqiang's preference for Chen Jin speaks volumes.

Looking at Liu Zhiqiang's determined eyes and then at Liu Guoliang's solemn expression, Li Xun suddenly said, "I think it's best to leave it to Chen Jin and Liang Jingkun to decide who makes it to the finals and who faces Hugo."

"Row."

After a moment's hesitation, Liu Guoliang finally relented.

However, he immediately issued an order.

"Coach Li, immediately arrange for the technical analysis team to concentrate all their efforts on recording all of Hugo's matches from the group stage to the semi-finals, especially today's comeback match against Wang Chuqin. Analyze every single frame for me."

Liu Guoliang's tone was decisive and efficient: "Thoroughly understand his technical characteristics, habitual routes, psychological shifts, and energy distribution, especially his performance when he catches up in the decisive game."

"I need to see a very detailed analysis report by 9 a.m. tomorrow to prepare the finalists."

Li Xun nodded emphatically: "Understood."

……

5 PM, training hall.

Chen Jin, Xie Mingyang, and Zhang Jiahao arrived on time to warm up and conduct targeted training for the evening's semi-finals.

"Brother Jin, you said..."

Just a second ago, Zhang Jiahao was chatting and laughing.

But as soon as he pushed open the door to the training hall, his laughter and chatter came to an abrupt halt.

Liu Guoliang, Qin Zhijian, Li Xun, and Wang Hao were already present, their expressions serious.

The air inside the training hall seemed heavier than outside.

Chen Jin and the other two hurriedly stepped forward to greet them.

"Chen Jin".

Liu Guoliang looked at Chen Jin and asked, "Did you watch Wang Chuqin's and Hugo's matches?"

"Looked."

Chen Jin nodded.

"The loss of the lower half of the bracket is a fait accompli."

Liu Guoliang's voice was not loud, but every word carried immense weight: "Whether we can win this World Cup depends on you and Liang Jingkun."

He paused deliberately, his gaze fixed on Chen Jin's young face, "You are young and energetic, and you have never lost a game since your debut. The coaching staff and I have high hopes for you."

"You have to prove yourself, understand?"

"understand!"

The boy's face showed little emotion, only a deep focus remained in the depths of his eyes.

"it is good."

Liu Guoliang patted Chen Jin on the shoulder, "Go on, train hard, and good luck."

Chen Jin and the other two said no more and quickly walked to the table tennis table to begin their warm-up exercises in an orderly manner.

It was as if all the pressure from the outside world was shut out of the table tennis table.

Liu Guoliang and the others did not leave.

They stood on the sidelines without exchanging a word.

Everyone's face looked as if it had been covered in frost, their seriousness frightening.

More than ten minutes later.

Liang Jingkun and Lin Shidong arrived at the training hall.

Liang Jingkun's expression was somewhat solemn.

It is clear that Wang Chuqin has already felt the pressure of his defeat and the ensuing pressure.

"Big Fatty".

Liu Guoliang's eyes shone brightly. "You watched the match between Wang Chuqin and Hugo, right?"

"Ah."

Liang Jingkun nodded.

"The upper half of the bracket has already fallen. Whether we can win the World Cup this time depends on you and Chen Jin."

Liu Guoliang said, "You are a veteran with rich experience, and you have fought against Hugo before, so you are very familiar with him."

"This World Cup is the best opportunity for you to prove yourself, so you must seize it."

"The coaching staff and I have high hopes for you, and you must prove us wrong."

"Understand?"

Liang Jingkun's reply was even rougher than Chen Jin's, carrying a do-or-die determination: "Understood!"

"very good."

Liu Guoliang waved his hand, "Go ahead, good luck."

The other three stood to the side, listening silently without interrupting.

They all knew very well that this was Liu Guoliang's usual tactic towards the contestants.

Hedging from both sides, sharing the spoils, and focusing on an information gap often yields remarkable results.

……

eight pm.

Chen Jin vs. Liang Jingkun.

The outcome of the match was not much of a surprise.

The final score was 4-0, with Chen Jin sweeping Liang Jingkun once again to advance to the final.

Chen Jin calmly shook hands with Liang Jingkun, without any particular elation on his face.

But everyone knew that from this moment on, the burden on Chen Jin's shoulders would become as heavy as a thousand pounds.

He will face Hugo Calderano alone, who has already won three consecutive matches and is in unstoppable momentum, to defend the last glory of the Chinese table tennis team.

Meanwhile, in the hotel room.

Hugo Calderano and his girlfriend Bruna Takahashi were also watching the semi-final via live stream.

Hugo leaned back on the sofa, deftly turning a Rubik's Cube in his hand, the colors rapidly changing and returning to their positions between his fingers.

His girlfriend, Takahashi, nestled in his arms like a Persian cat.

"As expected."

Hugo let out a long sigh of relief. "My opponent in tomorrow's final is indeed Chen Jin."

Although they had never fought, he was already very familiar with Chen Jin's name.

This sixteen-year-old Chinese boy, like a rocket, rose from an unknown figure in the world of table tennis to the world's number one ranking in just six months.

Since his debut, he has never been defeated.

Nestled in his arms, Takahashi looked up at Hugo with tender eyes and said, "Chen Jin has never lost. He's a true demon king. Aren't you afraid?"

Upon hearing the word "fear," Hugo's fingers, which were turning the Rubik's Cube, did not pause at all; instead, he chuckled softly.

His laughter carried a strong sense of confidence and a hint of excitement.

"Never lost?"

Hugo raised an eyebrow. "Then I'll hand him a defeat tomorrow!"

There was a click.

In just a few seconds, the 6x6 Rubik's Cube in his hand was solved.

Looking up at Hugo's confident face, Takahashi's eyes lit up instantly.

She wrapped her arms around Hugo's neck, leaned close to his ear, and breathed softly into his ear.

"I love your confidence..."

Her eyes were bright and beautiful, with a flame seemingly about to burst forth from them.

It seemed as if a great war was inevitable.

But Hugo took a deep breath and quickly calmed down.

"No."

Hugo gave a gentle push, speaking solemnly, "For tomorrow's match, I must conserve enough energy..."

(End of this chapter)