After all the buzz and controversy around Fan Zhendong’s retirement, the final day of 2024 brought us top-level table tennis from the Chinese Super League.
Unfortunately for the majority of neutral fans, the semi-final stage turned out to be quite one-sided, since Huangshi TTC and Shandong Weiqiao TTC did not get much resistance from their opponents. Both teams advanced to the final with confident wins, 3-1 and 3-0.
Chinese and international fans were very excited to once again see the former World Ranking leader – Xu Xin, in action for the Shanghai Zhongxing TTC club. Many had hopes that the combination of the legendary penholder and 2024 Olympic champion Fan Zhendong would lead Shanghai’s club to the finals. The reality, however, turned out to be different.
Xu Xin did not get a chance to play the singles game, losing the doubles matchup with Zhou Kai. The pairing of Liang Jingkun and Lin Yun-ju got a solid 3-1 win. But the main match-up everyone was excited to see, was Fan Zhendong versus Wang Chuqin. During the group stage, the Olympic champion was spectacular and won 3-1. In the semi-finals, Wang Chuqin got his revenge.
Whether Fan Zhendong was simply not having the best of his days, or it was the recent retirement and scandal around WTT that left its impact, one thing is clear – he was a shadow of himself. He got some spectacular points, but overall, Wang Chuqin was clearly better. In the third game, Liang Jingkun did what he was supposed to do, and brought a 3-1 win against Zhou Kai.
In another semi-final game, the young and talented Huangshi players had a slightly tougher time against Shantou Mingrun. Xiang Peng and Xue Fei lost the doubles against Lin Gaoyuan and Chen Yuanyu 0-3.
Nevertheless, Lin Shidong stepped up, winning both of his singles games 3-1 and 3-0, giving Huangshi two important points. The 25-year-old penholder Xue Fei also performed well, winning a win against the more experienced international and World Championships medalist – Lin Gaoyuan.
The final was a great chance for Huangshi to earn its first Chinese Super League title in its short history (the club was founded back in 2022). Shandong Weiqiao turned out to be too tough of a challenge for the talented youngsters.
The games turned out to be a great New Year present for the fans. Liang Jingkun and Lin Yun-ju had a really tough time against Xiang Peng and Xue Fei in the doubles, having some lucky points in the crucial moments and taking a crucial 3-2 win. Wang Chuqin followed this successful game with a nerve-wracking battle against Lin Shidong, who desperately needed to win this match-up so Huangshi could still hope for a positive outcome. The game eventually went into the fifth set and Wang Chuqin showed, why he’s now the number one in the Chinese roster after Fan Zhendong’s retirement. 3-2 win and Huangshi’s hopes for their first title quickly began to fade.
Xue Fei did his best to put up a fight against Liang Jingkun, but a 3-time singles medalist at the World Championships was simply too good. 3-1 and Shandong Weiqiao could celebrate the third title in the club’s history.
2024 CTTSL FINAL
3 – 
Shandong Weiqiao TTC 
0 – Huangshi TTC 
Liang Jingkun/Lin Yun-ju – Xiang Peng/Xue Fei 3-2 Wang Chuqin – Lin Shidong 3-2 Liang Jingkun – Xue Fei 3-1
2024 CHINESE SUPER LEAGUE RESULTS
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