In an electrifying display of skill and determination, China’s Lin Shidong and Wang Manyu clinched the men’s and women’s singles titles at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Frankfurt in Germany on Sunday.
Lin Shidong faced off against Sweden’s Anton Kellberg in a thrilling final. With sharp serves and lightning-fast attacks, Lin took an early lead, winning the first two games 11-5 and 11-7. However, Kellberg showcased incredible resilience, pushing back in the third game. He saved two game points to narrow the gap to 10-9 before eventually conceding the game 11-9. Not deterred, Kellberg fought back to take the fourth game 8-11, keeping the tension high.
In the decisive fifth game, Lin adapted his strategy, enhancing his serves to counter Kellberg’s tactics. A critical streak of four consecutive points mid-game secured his path to victory, sealing the final game 11-8 and earning him the championship title.
On the women’s side, it was an all-Chinese showdown between top seed Wang Manyu and second seed Wang Yidi. The match was a rollercoaster, with both players exhibiting top-tier performance. Wang Manyu took the first game 11-7, but Wang Yidi responded by taking the second 10-12. The back-and-forth continued, with Wang Manyu dominating the third game 11-3, only for Wang Yidi to level the playing field again in the fourth with a 7-11 win.
Wang Yidi started strong in the fifth game, leading 6-1 thanks to her impressive returns. Yet, Wang Manyu remained unfazed, tightening the score to 8-7 before overtaking to win the game. In the sixth game, despite Wang Yidi tying the score at 6-6 and forcing a timeout, Wang Manyu returned with composure. She maintained her focus and ultimately outlasted her compatriot, winning the final game 11-8 to lift the trophy.
These victories highlight China’s continued dominance in the world of table tennis, showcasing the depth of talent and competitive spirit among its athletes.
Reference(s):
Chinese paddlers bring home titles from WTT Champions Frankfurt
cgtn.com
