Recaps

Wang Chao strengthened his game under He Jingping, helped choose practice partners for the national team, and earned a place in the Hong Kong Open. The arc ended with him overwhelming Antonio in the qualifiers as the tournament’s main draw approached.

• Sun Tianlong defeated Hook in a seven-game Oman Open final, while Luo Jiu and Wang Chao recognized the growing threat Hook posed to Chinese table tennis.
• Luo Jiu beat Sun Tianlong to win the Year-End Finals, and Wang Chao told Wang Mei he had found a way to deal with both players.
• He Jingping began a special strength-training program for Wang Chao, who offered Wu Li a place on Spade Q and helped him improve through practice.
• At the national team selection, Fan Xiaodong secured a Second Team place, Zeng Guanghao revealed he wanted to pursue esports, and Wang Chao defeated Gao Mingyuan, Liang Kunpeng, and Lu Feiyang in challenge matches.
• Wang Chao selected Hu Buming as a practice partner, then joined the coaches’ discussions and obtained a Hong Kong Open spot while Sun Tianlong sat out with an injury.
• At the Hong Kong tournament, players and commentators praised or debated Wang Chao, Lin Zijun, and Hook before the organizers drew the qualifying groups.
• Wang Chao faced Antonio in the qualifiers and won all four games 11:1, after which Antonio withdrew.

Wang Chao advanced through the Hong Kong Open by defeating Mizutori Hato, Bayer, and K. Michel before winning a close final against Pike. His victories earned the Chinese coaching staff’s trust and left him poised to enter the core roster.

• Wang Chao defeated Zou Zhengyu 4:0, then secured first place in Group 13 and advanced through the qualifiers as the Hong Kong Open main draw began.
• Wang Chao eliminated Mizutori Hato 4:1 and continued through the early rounds as several Chinese veterans were knocked out.
• Cai Guodong offered Wang Chao a World Cup singles slot if he accepted responsibility for the team, and Wang Chao agreed before facing Bayer in the quarterfinals.
• Wang Chao lost the first two games to Bayer but adapted his play, won four games in a row, and advanced to the semifinals.
• Wang Chao defeated K. Michel 4:0, while Michel later recognized that Old Wa’s advice about changing his forehand rubber had been right.
• Wang Chao and Pike traded the lead in the final, with Wang Chao taking the first game 12:10 before Pike moved ahead 3:2.
• Wang Chao rallied to win the sixth game 11:6 and overwhelmed Pike 11:1 in the decider, claiming the Hong Kong Open title as Cai Guodong praised him.

Wang Chao returned to Spade Q and helped Wu Li emerge as a star, but the team’s showdown with Zhonggang became a test of Wang Chao against Sun Tianlong. Sun swept their opening match despite worsening injuries, while Spade Q fought back to lead the team tie 2:1 and set up Wu Li’s match against Xue Hui.

• Wang Chao returned to Spade Q, defeated Geng Shuai and Wu Li in practice, then helped Wu Li prepare for the city derby against Jiangcheng University.
• Wang Chao and Wu Li swept the doubles match, and Wu Li later defeated Ma Angxing 4:3 to give Spade Q its first derby win in the top division.
• Wang Chao trained Wu Li intensively, and Wu Li’s improved defense and precise slice helped Spade Q beat Power Club 4:3.
• Spade Q lost to Laobaigan despite Wang Chao winning singles and doubles, then prepared to face Zhonggang and Sun Tianlong.
• Wang Chao and Sun Tianlong were set to meet in the opening match, and Wang Chao chose to challenge Sun with short pushes and attacks to his backhand.
• Sun Tianlong controlled their tactical exchanges and won the first game 11:4, then took the second 11:6 despite Wang Chao’s efforts to target his wide backhand.
• Sun Tianlong won the next two games to sweep Wang Chao 4:0, then praised him while Wang Chao noticed his injuries had flared up.
• Geng Shuai beat Qi Hao, and Geng and Wu Li won the doubles 4:0, putting Spade Q ahead 2:1 as Wu Li prepared to face Xue Hui.

Wang Chao ended Sun Tianlong’s seven-year unbeaten streak, then accepted a place in China’s mixed doubles plans while preparing for the Swedish Open. There, Fan Xiaodong revealed his strength by defeating Sissifield and reaching the quarterfinals.

• Wu Li adapted to Xue Hui’s play and won their deciding game 11:2, prompting Cai Guodong to add him to his national-team prospects.
• Wang Chao defeated an injured Sun Tianlong 4:1, ending Sun’s seven-year unbeaten streak, and understood the win as a passing of responsibility.
• Luo Jiu recovered from a 0:3 deficit against Hook with disruptive play and won the final 4:3, while Cai Guodong arranged for Wang Chao to replace the injured Sun at the Swedish Open.
• Wang Chao advised Zhu Zeshi to assign Lu Feiyang to Qiu Yinong, joined a Xiangnan TV table tennis show, and helped reveal Sun Tianlong and himself as masked contestants.
• Cai Guodong’s coaches chose Wang Chao for mixed doubles, but Wang Chao told He Jingping he wanted the assignment and believed it would not endanger his men’s singles chances.
• Wang Chao traveled to Sweden with Fan Xiaodong and other Chinese players, where Wang Wendong planned a trial to select Wang Chao’s mixed doubles partner.
• Fan Xiaodong lost the first two games against Sissifield, then won four straight to take the match 4:2 and reach the quarterfinals.