(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT)
With seven of the World’s Top 10 present, World No. 1 Wang Chuqin and World No. 2 Fan Zhendong had to earn their spots in the Final at the WTT Star Contender in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Chuqin’s wins included a red-hot Zhou Qihao (who defeated Ma Long earlier in the tournament), and Truls Moregard and Fan’s wins included Hugo Calderano and Quadri Aruna. While there is little surprise that World No. 1 and No. 2 would face off in the Final – there was extra drama this week as Wang Chuqin overtook Fan Zhendong for the No. 1 position in the latest rankings that were released on Tuesday. Because of the narrow margin, the winner of today’s final would be number one. So would Slovenia be the start of Chuqin’s reign as number 1, or would it be a one week blip in the 144 weeks Fan had been atop the rankings as he retook the top position?
In today’s battle, five of the games were clearly decided (in arguably comfortable fashion). In those games, Wang Chuqin was the “comfortable” winner in three of the five. The key to the match was the first game and the seventh game – the two close games. The first game was a 15-13 Fan Zhendong win. From 10-10 in the first game, it was a weak backhand block from Fan to give Chuqin the lead, then an overswing by Chuqin’s backhand into the net. Chuqin again took the lead with a backhand flip down the line that clipped the net. Fan tied the score with his backhand flip deep to Chuqin’s backhand. Then at 12-12, each player lost a point by missing an aggressive backhand attack off of the other’s serve – leaving it tied again at 13. Chuqin then missed an aggressive forehand long – and with the lead, Fan played soft underspin through a rally and Chuqin missed again (Fan wins the first game 15-13).
In the seventh game the players were tied at 8-8 before Fan showed true number one shot-making with a backhand counter-punch attacking Chuqin’s (lefty) forehand and when the ball came back immediately turning it down the line for the win. And then, up 9-8, Fan landed the same crosscourt backhand attack only this time it turned wide of Chuqin’s forehand for the outright winner. Chuqin followed up with a great serve to bring the score to 9-10 , and then another strong point with Chuqin pushing pace from his forehand into Fan’s backhand – and Fan trying a flat smash for the win that floated long. Fan went for a long serve at 10-10 and then hit a winner on the third ball going forehand from the middle and a wide angle (pulled crosscourt) into Chuqin’s backhand. Down 10-11, Chuqin served middle distance, Fan attached with his backhand flip to Chuqin’s forehand, Chuqin blistered a forehand attack into Fan’s backhand, and Fan his a flat backhand that overpowered Chuqin’s forehand again. Chuqin’s forehand floated long, and Fan was left the winner in Slovenia – and the “new” World Number 1. His last streak was 144 weeks on top of the rankings – his new streak will begin with the next rankings on Tuesday.
An epic battle for World No. 1 – hopefully the first of many. Fan Zhendong over Wang Chuqin 4-3 (13, -8, -3, 4, 7, -7, 10).
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