Four matches in a single day, four wins to his name. Fan Zhendong’s triumphant return to the Chinese Table Tennis Super League (CTTSL) after a six-month hiatus has been nothing short of electrifying. The world number one stepped back onto the battleground on Monday with Shanghai, showcasing his trademark blend of precision and relentless drive by dispatching Shandong’s Xu Yingbin, Yan An, and Shantou’s Xu Haidong and Lin Gaoyuan in succession.
Shanghai’s double-header was a masterclass in resilience and drama, especially the nail-biter against Shantou that stretched to a full five sets. The climax saw Fan and Lin, both heavyweights in their own right, slug it out in a gripping decider. Fan seized the first two games 11-9, 11-8, only to see Lin claw back the third 11-9. Yet the champion’s steel prevailed as Fan closed out the match emphatically, 11-3, securing a pivotal victory for Shanghai.
“I think we both wanted to contribute to the team, but luck favored me on a few key points,” Fan offered with characteristic humility post-match. “The Chinese Table Tennis Super League has always featured fierce matches. For me, the opening day was a test, and I think I did well. But I still have some injuries, and I hope I can make adjustments for the competition to come.”
Since a disappointing semi-final loss to Shandong on December 31 last year, Fan has been conspicuously absent from competitive play, dedicating himself to focused training. His reappearance not only reveals a sharpened technique but also an indomitable will to defy setbacks. His morning opener against Xu Yingbin was particularly telling—a comeback from two games down to a three-game surge, signaling a player refusing to yield.
“That morning match was definitely tough,” Fan acknowledged, “but it provided an opportunity to adjust my tactics.”
This season’s CTTSL sees clubs battle through three rigorous regular-season stages in a double round-robin format, with the top four advancing to a December finale—a format that promises sustained intensity. As Fan’s resurgence suggests, the chase for the crown will be anything but predictable.
