Power, Fan Zhendong en route to gold (Photo: World Table Tennis)
Fan Zhendong won the men’s singles title at the 2020 China National Championships in Weihai, Shandong province on Saturday 10th October; thus bringing play to a conclusion in the week-long tournament.
The success came after Chen Meng and Wang Manyu had clinched women’s doubles gold.
At the final hurdle, Fan Zhendong beat Ma Long (11-5, 12-14, 3-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7), having one round earlier overcome Liang Jingkun (5-11, 13-11, 11-8, 14-12, 11-4). In the counterpart semi-final, Ma Long ended the hopes of Wang Chuqin (11-6, 7-11, 11-7, 12-10, 6-11, 11-6).
Meanwhile, in the women’s doubles at the semi-final stage, Chen Meng and Wang Manyu accounted for Chen Yi and Kuai Man (11-9, 11-9, 11-3, 8-11, 11-9), before overcoming Sun Yingsha and Wang Yidi (11-13, 12-10, 11-5, 5-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-6) to claim the title. In the opposite half of the draw Sun Yingsha and Wang Yidi had ended the aspirations of pen-holders, Zhang Qiang and Qi Fei (11-4, 11-4, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9).
Determined, Chen Meng (left) and (right) Wang Manyu move ever nearer the avowed goal (Photo: World Table Tennis)