China’s table tennis team showcased their unrivaled prowess at the 2024 World Table Tennis (WTT) Saudi Smash, securing all five titles on offer. On Saturday, Chen Meng and Wang Chuqin clinched the women’s and men’s singles championships respectively, cementing China’s dominance in the sport.
The women’s singles final was a highly anticipated rematch of the Tokyo 2020 showdown. Olympic champion and world No. 4 Chen Meng faced off against top-ranked world champion Sun Yingsha in a thrilling contest. Sun started strong, claiming the first game 11-6. However, Chen swiftly responded, winning the second game 11-5.
The intensity escalated in the third game as both players battled fiercely, tying early at 4-4. Chen broke ahead with a four-point streak, ultimately taking the game 11-8. Maintaining her momentum, Chen surged to a 5-1 lead in the fourth game. Despite Sun’s valiant effort to level the score at 9-9, Chen held firm to win 11-9, bringing the overall score to 3-1 in her favor.
Refusing to concede, Sun captured the fifth game 11-6, narrowing the gap. In the sixth game, errors proved costly for Sun as Chen leapt to a 5-1 advantage. Although Sun fended off four match points, Chen capitalized on a decisive opportunity with a powerful serve, sealing her victory at 11-8.
In the men’s singles, Wang Chuqin delivered a stellar performance to claim the title, further contributing to China’s remarkable achievement at the tournament.
The 2024 WTT Saudi Smash highlighted China’s continued excellence in table tennis, with both established champions and emerging talents demonstrating their skill on the international stage.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
