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

Chapter 489 The plan has changed; we're preparing to win the championship!

Chapter 489 The plan has changed; we're preparing to win the championship!
7 month 6 day.

The first day of the main draw at the US Grand Slam.

Orleans Stadium.

Inside the stadium, four matches were being played simultaneously.

The sounds of intense shots, shouts from the players, and cheers from the audience... all resonated and intertwined, creating a vibrant and exciting atmosphere.

However, according to the schedule, Chen Jin has no other matches besides one mixed doubles game.

He and Ye Sijia then spent time in the training hall, immersing themselves in preparation for the mixed doubles match at 6 p.m.

The mixed doubles coach assigns multiple balls to the two players.

Locations vary throughout Taiwan.

It's all about practicing reaction time and teamwork.

Ye Sijia moved swiftly and transitioned quickly.

Their teamwork with Chen Jin was quite seamless.

However, Chen Jin still caught a hint of tension in her slightly furrowed brows and the way she subconsciously looked at him after a missed shot.

Training break.

The two walked to the sidelines.

Ye Sijia was wiping her sweat when she looked up and saw Chen Jin handing her a bottle of mineral water.

"Thank you."

Ye Sijia took it and smiled at him.

Just as he was about to use force, he discovered that Chen Jin had already unscrewed the bottle cap.

"The training is going well."

While drinking water, Chen Jin smiled and said, "As long as we perform normally, I am confident that we will win the mixed doubles title at this Grand Slam."

"Just like the World Youth Championship."

Ye Sijia drank her water and smiled.

Judging from her expression, she was clearly not as relaxed and confident as Chen Jin.

"The opponents in a Grand Slam are not comparable to those in the World Junior Championships."

Ye Sijia shook her head.

"Indeed, I admit that."

Chen Jin nodded, "However, we have good luck with the draw. Our first-round opponent is not too strong, which can serve as a touchstone for us."

"Maybe."

Ye Sijia's expression remained tense.

"Relax."

Chen Jin laughed and said, "Don't put pressure on yourself."

“I know, but…”

Ye Sijia hesitated for a moment, "I'm afraid I'll hold you back."

"Holding me back?"

Chen Jin chuckled, speechless. "What makes you say that?"

“You haven’t lost since the U16 selection tournament last year.”

Ye Sijia finally voiced her concerns: "What if I team up with someone and we lose? Wouldn't I be torn apart by the fans?"

"Uh……"

Chen Jin scratched the tip of his nose. "I originally thought that my undefeated record should be your source of confidence, but I didn't expect it to become your pressure now."

Upon hearing this, Ye Sijia was suddenly stunned.

My heart moved slightly.

What he said... seems to make sense.

Shouldn't I feel fortunate to be paired with such a great teammate on my first Grand Slam mixed doubles appearance?
Chen Jin continued, "Besides, doubles matches are always a matter for two people; there's no such thing as one dragging the other down."

"Even if we really lose, it's partly my fault. Anyone who dares to insult you is insulting me, and I'll definitely insult them back!"

This statement came out.

This made Ye Sijia burst out laughing.

"not to mention……"

Chen Jin said seriously, "From beginning to end, I never thought that the two of us would lose."

These words were by no means merely meant to comfort Ye Sijia.

With their individual abilities, he and Ye Sijia were already at the top level.

We partnered up during the World Youth Championships and have a good understanding of each other's playing styles and habits.

Moreover, after this period of training, the two have become increasingly coordinated.

Technically speaking, as long as both players perform normally, they have a fighting chance against any opponent.

The worst thing is that a certain mindset will restrict one's performance.

"really?"

Ye Sijia looked at Chen Jin.

"of course it's true."

Chen Jin said solemnly, "Believe me, and believe in yourself."

"Relax, play normally, and this game... is a sure win!"

The last two words came out of his mouth.

There was not a trace of boasting or arrogance, only confidence and certainty based on absolute strength.

Ye Sijia's heart trembled slightly.

There was a pause.

"just in case……"

Ye Sijia spoke again, "I mean, what if we lose?"

"No one can win all the time, and I'm no exception."

Chen Jin smiled calmly, "I've long been mentally prepared for the day I might lose a game."

"However, I will do everything in my power to delay that day from coming."

"At least, definitely not today!"

Every word, every phrase, every pause.

Unlike any grand pronouncements, it lacks any obsession with victory, yet it embodies an even more tenacious and unwavering belief in the ultimate.

Like a bolt of lightning, it instantly cleaved through Ye Sijia's pent-up worries.

Ye Sijia stared blankly at Chen Jin.

In that instant, she suddenly realized how ridiculous, narrow-minded, and even naive her previous worries were.

The young man before me, bearing the reputation of being "undefeated," is able to view victory and defeat rationally.

Despite bearing greater pressure than himself, he turned around and comforted his teammate.

"Yes, doubles is a match between two people."

"But why do I need someone else to comfort me?"

Think of this.

Ye Sijia took a deep breath.

It was as if most of the boulder that had been weighing on my chest had been moved.

My breathing has become much easier.

The confusion and tension in his eyes were gradually replaced by clarity and determination.

"I understand!"

Ye Sijia nodded emphatically, "I will adjust."

The next training session.

Ye Sijia was noticeably more focused.

Instead of dwelling on potential mistakes and consequences, I focused all my energy on training.

Carefully study Chen Jin's positioning habits and hitting rhythm, and strive to make your own positioning and connection, and your cooperation with Chen Jin, more fluid and natural.

During training, Chen Jin deliberately increased his practice of small-scale coordination with her.

Through simple words and eye contact, they continuously strengthened their mutual understanding.

time flies.

The match started promptly at 6 PM.

I arrived backstage ten minutes early to wait for my turn.

At this time, about 70-80% of the seats around the table were occupied.

Among them were Chinese fans waving the five-star red flag and holding up signs supporting Chen Jin and Ye Sijia, waiting for the mixed doubles match to begin.

"Whoo~"

Ye Sijia took a deep breath, and her heartbeat quickened involuntarily.

It's important to know that she has experienced the World Table Tennis Championships and has seen big events.

However, this match was more tense than ever before.

the other side.

Nandan Naresh and Chen Yiyi, the American duo, were also present.

"OMG!"

Nandan Naresh spotted Chen Jin from a distance, and an excited look immediately appeared on his face. "Is that Chen Jin, the world number one known as the 'Satan of Table Tennis'?"

"He is my idol. I never dreamed that I would be able to play a game with him."

"I want his autograph..."

Seeing Nandan Naresh's excited expression, Chen Yiyi quickly pulled him back: "Hey, Nandan, don't get carried away. We are now their opponents."

"We must find a way to defeat them, for God, for our great president."

Nandan Naresh then managed to suppress his impulse.

Six o'clock sharp.

The players from both sides enter the arena.

Chen Jin picked up his racket and calmly wiped it clean.

A terrifying aura emanated from him.

Like a ferocious beast from the primordial era, it permeated the entire arena.

He didn't try to show off, and didn't even glance at his opponent.

But the kingly aura honed through countless major competitions made Naresh and Chen Yiyi, standing on opposite sides of the net, feel a pang of fear.

"OMG, that aura..."

Naresh swallowed hard. "Truly worthy of being called the Great Demon King, my idol."

"..."

Chen Yiyi glanced at him sideways, as if she were looking at an idiot.

Although she wasn't like Naresh, she was well aware that this was a match that was almost impossible for her and Naresh to win.

After all, the difference in strength between the two sides is like heaven and earth.

Knowing she was bound to lose, she still wanted to give it her all.

Guess the number; guess first.

Chen Jin and Ye Sijia won the right to serve in the first set.

Warm-up with sparring.

After carefully observing their opponents' positioning and sensing the impact of their shots, Chen Jin and Ye Sijia exchanged a glance, already understanding the situation. Ye Sijia served.

Chen Yiyi receives the serve.

Chen Jin and Naresh also got into position.

Like two armies facing off, with an arrow already on the bowstring.

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

Ye Sijia took a deep breath.

Toss the ball and prepare to swing.

"laugh!"

Diagonal, shorter on the lower side.

After serving, Ye Sijia quickly moved away from the table to create space.

Chen Yiyi took a step forward, intending to sway her body.

However, he was clearly a little nervous, and his hand control was slightly poor.

The short putt was of poor quality, and the ball was already halfway out of bounds.

Like a cheetah that has been lying in wait for a long time, Chen Jin adjusted himself and slid to the side.

Prepare for the shot, gather power, and launch a forehand attack.

"Snapped!"

Accompanied by the explosive sound of the ball being hit.

The small white ball suddenly transformed into a cannonball, hurtling towards the opponent's table.

"WTF?!"

Naresh hadn't even reacted yet.

歘——

The ping-pong ball flew past him, skimming along the edge of his forehand side.

1: 0.

That was a clean and decisive shot.

No sloppiness.

"Choo-hoo!"

Chen Jin clenched his fist and roared, "Braise—"

This is definitely not his habit.

However, in order to encourage Ye Sijia beside him, he had to put on a strong enough show of force.

The opening goal was like a shot in the arm.

This put Ye Sijia's mind at ease.

Seeing Chen Jin's confidence after scoring, the last trace of unease and worry in my heart instantly vanished.

"With Chen Jin here, we will definitely win."

Ye Sijia finally gained more confidence and assurance.

Look down.

Chen Jin, sitting in the audience, made a gesture.

Ye Sijia immediately understood.

Second serve.

diagonal.

Do not forward.

Chen Yiyi cut short and then rose high again.

"Snapped!"

Chen Jin leaped and launched a powerful attack.

0: 2.

"Choo-hoo!"

"Zhu--"

Ye Sijia followed Chen Jin, clenching her fists and roaring.

The momentum is like a rainbow.

Ye Sijia's confidence rose accordingly.

In the subsequent game, Ye Sijia moved more actively on the court and made more decisive shots.

Her cooperation with Chen Jin was smooth and effortless.

Chen Jin is responsible for the strong counterattack and the fatal blow from mid-to-long range.

Ye Sijia firmly defended the mid-to-close range, using her swing speed and landing point variations to fill in gaps and create opportunities for Chen Jin to attack.

The two complemented each other perfectly.

An increasingly tacit understanding.

In contrast, Naresh and Chen Yiyi appeared hampered by the fierce coordinated attacks of Chen Jin and Ye Sijia.

Naresh's powerful backhand was repeatedly met with errors, either going out of bounds or into the net.

Chen Yiyi's coordination and offense/defense were simply no match for Chen Jin's explosive attacks.

Even if they managed to block the ball back, the quality was very low.

They were immediately killed by Chen Jin or Ye Sijia with a single blow.

From the very beginning, Chen Jin and Ye Sijia had completely taken control of the game's pace.

11: 4.

Chen Jin and Ye Sijia easily won the first game with overwhelming force.

Break between games.

On the advice of the mixed doubles coach.

In the second game, Chen Jin and Ye Sijia changed their tactics.

With Ye Sijia as the main attacker, Chen Jin was responsible for control and defense, creating opportunities for Ye Sijia to attack.

"Be more decisive."

When they went on the court, Chen Jin whispered to Ye Sijia, "Don't worry, if one shot isn't enough to kill, use the second shot."

"clear."

Ye Sijia nodded emphatically.

At this moment, the gloom that had clouded her face before the match was gone.

Instead, there is a focus on the game and absolute trust in teammates.

Game start.

Naresh and Chen Yiyi attempted to reverse their losing streak by varying their serves and increasing their intensity.

In fact, Naresh made several powerful side-step attacks and hit a few beautiful shots, drawing cheers from the American audience.

"His attacking shot is a bit heavy, I can't counter it."

Ye Sijia frowned slightly.

"It's ok."

Chen Jin comforted him, "If you can't counter-pull, just defend against his attack, and then find an opportunity to counter-pull."

"it is good."

Ye Sijia understood immediately.

Under the two players' impenetrable defense, Naresh's continuous attacks were all thwarted.

Moreover, such a fierce battle is also a drain on Naresh's physical strength.

Unable to break through after a prolonged attack, their morale plummeted.

Seeing that Naresh's power was clearly decreasing, Chen Jin's gaze darkened slightly: "Now!"

In an instant.

As if telepathically connected with Chen Jin, Ye Sijia slid to the side and met Naresh's explosive attack with a forehand counter-attack.

"Snapped!"

The ball flew like a cannonball, blasting through Chen Yiyi's defense.

"Choo-hoo!"

"Zhu--"

Ye Sijia clenched her fist excitedly and turned to look at Chen Jin.

But Chen Jin also clenched his fist and roared, meeting her gaze.

His eyes held approval.

This greatly boosted Ye Sijia's spirits.

The subsequent matches unfolded naturally.

Although Naresh and Chen Yiyi struggled more fiercely than in the previous game, they were still far inferior to Chen Jin and Ye Sijia in seizing crucial points.

11: 7.

Chen Jin and Ye Sijia have won another victory.

The score is 2-0.

In the third game.

Chen Jin and Ye Sijia played with more ease and freedom.

Some of the tactical routines learned in training have begun to be skillfully displayed on the field.

Cross-positioning, wide-angle diving and counter-attack.

Cover the attack, then launch a quick forehand and backhand smash for the win.

The two had a tacit understanding that seemed to have been honed over many years.

Their positioning is like a butterfly flitting among flowers, and their shots are as fluid as flowing clouds and water.

Faced with such impeccable teamwork and absolute overwhelming strength, Naresh and Chen Yiyi completely lost their fighting spirit and made more and more mistakes.

Soon, it was 11:1.

Chen Jin and Ye Sijia gave their opponents no chance.

With lightning speed, they won three straight games.

The score is 3-0.

He quickly defeated his opponent and advanced to the mixed doubles round of 16.

A fleeting moment in the game.

"Won!"

Ye Sijia breathed a sigh of relief, raised her hands high, and a bright smile bloomed on her face.

He turned around, faced Chen Jin, and excitedly reached out his hand.

Looking at his radiant partner, Chen Jin also smiled faintly.

"Snapped!"

Their palms struck each other crisply in the air.