In a spectacular display of skill and determination, China secured a clean sweep at the 2024 World Table Tennis (WTT) Saudi Smash, clinching all five trophies on Saturday. The highlights of the tournament were undoubtedly the triumphant runs of Chen Meng and Wang Chuqin in the women's and men's singles categories, respectively.
The women's singles final was a thrilling rematch reminiscent of their classic showdown at Tokyo 2020. Chen Meng, the Olympic champion and World No. 4, faced off against the top-ranked world champion Sun Yingsha. The match was intense from the start, with Sun taking an early lead of 11-6 in the first game.
However, Chen Meng demonstrated her resilience by overturning the deficit in the second game with an impressive 11-5 victory. The third game was a nail-biter, with both players neck and neck before Chen unleashed a four-point streak to win 11-8. Displaying unwavering dominance in the fourth game, Chen surged ahead to a 5-1 lead. Despite Sun's formidable comeback to tie the game at 9-9, Chen maintained her composure and secured the game 11-9, leading the match 3-1.
Sun Yingsha fought valiantly in the fifth game, winning 11-6 to narrow the gap. However, a series of unforced errors allowed Chen to take control once more, winning the next game 11-8 despite Sun's efforts to fend off four match points. Chen Meng's powerful serve ultimately sealed her victory, marking a significant achievement in her illustrious career.
On the men's side, Wang Chuqin followed suit by capturing the singles title, contributing to China's flawless performance throughout the tournament. The team's collective success at the WTT Saudi Smash underscores China's continued dominance in the world of table tennis and highlights the rising talents poised to shape the future of the sport.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
