[WTT] WANG Chuqin vs FAN Zhendong H/L | WTT Champions Chongqing 2024

Head-to-head here, the tale de la tabla. At Z4 and 9, Wang Chuqin, the World No. 1, has a losing record by quite a bit, less than a third of his matches against Fang Zhendong. But could this be because it's a battle of generations? Here's a look at the World No. 1, the leader in terms of WTT wins, Wang Chuqin. Fang Zhendong with a bagel for Hugo Calderano to get his revenge. The 27-year-old with 27 titles to his name. Fang Zhendong to start it off with the serves. He's played a lot of matches. Close is one thing. He's splitting on receive, Wang Chuqin. Clever play. The pressure from Wang Chuqin here. Moisture on it. This is so casual. Oh, beautiful win of that. I mean, I think it does play a huge role, Adam. Championship title despite all his WTT titles. But I mean, they're so familiar with each other. Fang Zhendong has really turned it on from 1-5 down. Oh, there it is. Both players had a plan, except it wasn't quite the power that we'd normally see. That he would make such a confident step. This one must be because of confusion or making it difficult for the receiver to read. Fang Zhendong is showing some really wise play here. That serve was... What do you think? You have to win the way I planned. It doesn't have to be glamorous. At the end, when you get a title after a quality point like this, I was going to say, I'm actually the only two to hold down the world number one spot. What? This was a back pocket pull. You should not have to worry about what Fang Zhendong has done. Zero to one against the world number four. Leaving the whole table. An arcing spin shot. This reverse pendulum serve or the shovel serve. It's not the first time we've seen Wang Chuqin surprise Fang Zhendong with a ball to the deep backhand. Corner here and it pays off. Wang Chuqin with the first towel break up by two. Well here in this game. For me, even that. Yeah, he doesn't make it. Well, for me, Fang Zhendong has more flair. Yeah, yeah. He got better when he actually got better at slowing things down. Nearly 9,000 RPM. Sets it up so well. Soft blocks, then the deep push and he gets right into it. One block with the backhand and he takes control. Doing something like that. Nice forehand flick inside the table. At least internationally representing China. Wang Chuqin down by two. Nice pendulum. He stole the attack from what seemed like an impossible shot. All the power. This is the backhand that we've known for years and in this match so far. There it is. The spin comes in. Just guides it back. Fang Zhendong with that divisive backhand. He's growing into the game quite well. He hopes that Fang Zhendong does well here so he can move up in the rankings because they wouldn't want to have to face him early. Oh, that is absolutely immaculate. So athletic. Oh, once again. Now this is more of a backhand. Winning in Macau. Twice Wang Chuqin. For me, he has been from the start. Again, Yisong Su. Oh, second time we've seen him go down to that heel. Now the right heel, it goes. Oh, the touch. The touch was clever because it looked like he was going to flip but he changed. And then another rip in backhand. Watch this. See that? A little change there from the posture. He's got eight game points for a three to zero lead over the world number one. And a backpedaling deep serve to the backhand side, Fang Zhendong. Completely dominating that table tennis the way you normally would. At this level, you're using everything and you have to trust from your ankle to your heel to your quad to your hip flexors that you can push off and twist just the right way so that the body doesn't have to overcompensate. Do you think that's a factor or related to his ankle? Who's one game away from taking this title with a bagel. There certainly is a selflessness about that statement but I mean, China won as many. 11 to two. He's down three to four. Fang Zhendong needs to climb the ladder a bit more. He managed to pull out the match anyway. It reminds me of Wang Chuqin. Ironically, he moves right back. Oh, the combinations. Gao Yang, indeed. You can hear it from the crowd. The opening shot and the follow-up. This serve, it's not the first time we've seen it. Counter loop, they go back. That baseline, Wang Chuqin with a much needed point after being up seven. And leveling the playing field once again. Business time. It's a test of the nerves. He's taking some chances out here. Serving a little advantage here. Two game points, Wang Chuqin at the third half. And Wang Chuqin with the serves. So much kick on the ball that you could see Fang Zhendong a little bit ruffled. If he wanted at any point. He was known as the man who could beat the Chinese team of all. That's higher, thicker and thicker. With Wang Chuqin coming back like this, he's got his third point this game. He's starting to get some momentum here. But a much needed point here as Fang Zhendong gets the backhand in inside the table. That extra little grunt, you can hear it when he powers up for that opening shot. Funny, I've talked about Chun Meng and how solid she is. The quads and everything else to prevent injury. Massive muscular guy. Still in play behind the table. What? How could that last so long in the air? Oh, he can serve that against an irregular point. Very awkward, slow, spinny ball this one. Good deep push as well. Your memory looked like it needed a little workout for a minute. Unbelievable here, Wang with a four point lead. He's gonna win anything. That's chase. Time will tell. In the crowd, up in a bunch here. That said, follow WTT on all social media to enjoy your favorite moments. The Olympics so close. He's a bit of a swifty, isn't he? We've seen him. Trying to force a seventh. Oh, almost saves it. Recovers the first shot, the next one. Back, he's in trouble. So he bought himself a little time. That's tough. Do your best to take advantage of their weakness. I know that wasn't much of a question, but as Zhou Qihao, Zhao Zihao, and Liu Hong walk back into the building, they're gonna enjoy some of this action. This is over. Brought it back, that Fan Zhendong. On Wang Chuqin. Never have to stop. Smart play, shortens it up. Fan Zhendong steps around, the more mobile of the two players. Nice placement on this, Wang Chuqin. What are you thinking? A good push here, quick and deep. His advantage to attack. Some socks and underwear, you got what you need for the trip, you all packed? From behind the table, the chase flailing as he tries to count. And Wang Chuqin, a sider. We get one more game. Long push, surprising Fan Zhendong. Roken serves with Wang Chuqin. Again, the long push, though. Just the one he has for traditional sake, but right out of it. Fan Zhendong with a big point. And just to again, highlight the level of play out here. You won't hear me, we won 11 to two? A good start, but from the baseline, it's countered back. It is too good. These rallies, Fan Zhendong behind the table. Extra width. Oh, catches. Goes wide to the forehand out of nowhere. Short stroke, goes for broke and it passes for a guy who knows he's not gonna back. Serving seven in the decider. This was big. Just too good. Decisive, he turns. Open table and he walks right in. Fan Zhendong now with his toes on the finish line, his fingertips on the trophy. 35 grand in WTT's era. Exhibition? No way. It is. An exhibition point to finish. Fan Zhendong, that dominance in the final game that Wang Chuqin throws in the towel. The world number four doing the unthinkable and the dancing fans here got their money's worth in a seven game thriller.