On October 19, 2024, the final match of the National Table Tennis Championships men’s team competition took place in Ordos, Inner Mongolia. The Shanghai Real Estate team, led by star players Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin, battled through four intense matches to emerge victorious with a 3-1 overall score against the Heilongjiang team.
The arena at the Sports Development Center in Ordos was packed with fans, all eager to support their teams. The Shanghai Real Estate team featured an impressive lineup of players, including Fan Zhendong, Xu Xin, and Zhou Kai, making them the favorites heading into the match. However, the competition was anything but predictable.
In the opening match, the Shanghai duo of Xu Xin and Zhou Kai faced off against Heilongjiang’s Wei Shihao and Wang Bo. While the crowd roared with excitement, it was the Heilongjiang pair who found their rhythm first. Their solid playing style resulted in Xu and Zhou winning only one out of four games, leading to a disappointing 3-1 loss for Shanghai in the first match.
The second match saw the emergence of Fan Zhendong, who brought his calm and collected playing style to the table. He faced Heilongjiang’s Xu Yingbin and secured a decisive 3-0 victory, leveling the overall score.
In the third match, Zhou Kai represented the Shanghai team against the seasoned Wang Bo from Heilongjiang. It was a thrilling five-game showdown. After dropping the first two games, Zhou mounted a remarkable comeback, winning three straight games to clinch the match 3-2, putting Shanghai ahead at 2-1.
The fourth match featured veteran player Xu Xin for Shanghai as he took on Heilongjiang’s Xu Yingbin once again. Familiar with Xu Xin’s style, Xu Yingbin started strong, winning the first two games. However, Xu Xin adjusted his strategy during the third game, turning the tide and ultimately winning the match 3-2.
After four hard-fought matches, the Shanghai Real Estate team triumphed over Heilongjiang with a total score of 3-1, securing the championship title for the third consecutive year in the National Table Tennis Championships men’s team event.
