After six months away from competitive play, Paris 2024 Olympic champion Fan Zhendong made a jaw-dropping comeback in the Chinese Table Tennis Super League (CTTSL) on Monday.
In a single day for Shanghai, Fan showcased his trademark precision and relentless drive by defeating Shandong's Xu Yingbin and Yan An, then taking down Shantou's Xu Haidong and Lin Gaoyuan in succession.
The highlight was a five-set thriller against Lin Gaoyuan. Fan seized the first two games 11-9, 11-8, weathered Lin's fightback in the third, and then closed out the epic decider 11-3 to secure a pivotal victory.
Fan said, 'Luck favored me on a few key points,' reflecting on the dramatic opener. 'The CTTSL has always had fierce matches. The opening day was a test, and I think I did well. I’ll keep adjusting for the competition ahead.'
Since a semi-final setback to Shandong on December 31, Fan has been training off the radar, honing his technique. His comeback surges, especially reversing a two-game deficit against Xu Yingbin, underline a player refusing to yield.
This CTTSL season spans three double round-robin stages, with the top four clubs heading to a December finale. With Fan back in peak form, the race for the crown is wide open and promises high drama.
Reference(s):
Fan makes electrifying return to action with 4 consecutive CTTSL wins
cgtn.com
