Chapter 285: Helped by Some Master (2/2)
”Some of them are really promising. They definitely can make great achievements after they go through more, but they just lack opportunities.” Pointing to Tielin Li, who had just entered the stage, Bin Wang continued, ”Tielin Li, from team two. He has been on our team for two years, right?”
”Yes. It's time to achieve some awards for the national team after two years' training,” Zhizhong Gu said, his attention unconsciously focused on Tielin Li.
...
Bang! The flying ball hit on Tielin Li's racket with a clear sound.
Not good! Tielin Li thought.
The rapid rotation of the ball was beyond Tielin Li's expectations. Though he tried to hold the ball, it still flew off the table.
Feng Zhu is not tall but strong in power. The ball he returns is even equal to those strength players in terms of speed and rotation. I can't play hard with him. I should play flexibly and make him move all the time to seek chances, Tielin Li thought.
Tielin Li strictly carried out his plan, but nearly in vain.
Feng Zhu's action was much smoother than Tielin Li had imagined. He even made some hard skills without much distortion.
This Feng Zhu is even much harder to handle than teammates on the national team! Tielin Li looked at the score and realized that he was behind again, and he felt anxious.
...
In the stands, Zhizhong Gu frowned. Bin Wang said beside him, ”If the game goes on like this, Tielin Li will lose!”
”Tielin Li plays well. His opponent is so excellent!” Zhizhong Gu said.
”This guy is called Feng Zhu. Our national team inspected him before,” Bin Wang said at once.
Zhizhong Gu searched his memory and said, ”I remember I read some reports about him two years ago. He has practiced table tennis since he was a child, and his skill was pretty good and his strength was much greater than a lot of big players. His serve was fast enough and the rotation was strong enough. However, he lacked body flexibility.”
”Feng Zhu's ball is great in speed and rotation, but his flexibility is also not bad! I don't see any problems in his body flexibility,” Bin Wang commented.
”It means that Feng Zhu has improved his flexibility during the last two years.” Zhizhong Gu frowned again. ”I remember that he was eighteen two years ago, so now he is twenty. Athletes at this age start to build muscle. I believe they will become strong, but I will not believe they can be more flexible!”
”Watch longer. Maybe Feng Zhu is playing at his best!” Bin Wang continued, ”If it was his normal level, I believe he is better than most of the players in team two!”
As they were talking, the game ended. Feng Zhu defeated Tielin Li. Tielin Li was also the first national player to be eliminated.
...
Bin Wang's judgment was correct that Feng Zhu was indeed much better than most players of national team two.
In the fourth round, Feng Zhu faced another player of national team two. Although he lost the first two sets, he finally won.
In the fifth round, the quarter final, Feng Zhu faced a senior member of the national team as well as the world number one player, Anshan Wang.
Anshan Wang was a super grand slam player who had won all the titles including the Olympic Games, the World Championship, the World Cup, the Asian Cup, the Asian Championship, the Tour Finals, and singles in the National Games. Besides, he had ranked the first place in the world for three consecutive years.
There remained a big gap between Feng Zhu and Anshan Wang. What's more, Anshan Wang was more experienced than Feng Zhu. At last, Feng Zhu lost this game. However, Feng Zhu's performance in this competition was remarkable. He could feel proud even though he was defeated.
After the end of the singles competitions, the doubles and team competitions began.
...
”When did Hanbei Team become so strong? They defeated Huajing Team in the group competition!”
”There are three national players in Huajing Team, and Hanbei has none.”
”Hanbei Team won the crucial game in the doubles.”
”As for the doubles, it suddenly occurs to me that the two pairs of players from Hanbei both entered the last sixteen!”
A lot of discussions went on around.
Zhizhong Gu felt interested and looked at Ping Wang on the stage.
”Hanbei Team is a black horse this year. Their strength improved significantly this year. So strange!” Zhizhong Gu said, smiling.
”I agree with you. Those players are much better than they were last year. I've known Ping Wang for years, and I know exactly how much he can handle. If he is so excellent like this, the Hanbei table tennis team is already number one!” in Wang wore an expression of approval.
”I think Ping Wang must get help from some master hand. Let's go and talk to him!” Saying this, Zhizhong Gu stood up.