Chapter Summaries

Wolf defeated Morad after the Swedish player lost control and was disqualified, leaving Germany ahead of Sweden in their contest. Wang Chao then dominated Mizutori Hato in their round-of-sixteen match, racing to an 8:0 lead in the opening game.

• Wolf battled Morad through seven games, and Morad smashed his racket after Wolf clipped the table’s edge.
• Morad tried to hit the umpire after receiving a yellow card, so officials disqualified him and removed him from the court.
• Wolf celebrated Germany’s advantage over Sweden and prepared to face Li Zhengzhi, while the final round-of-sixteen matches began.
• Mizutori Hato served cautiously against Wang Chao, but Wang’s improved backhand and powerful attacks quickly put him ahead.
• Wang Chao won the opening points with varied serves, loops, and rallies, building an 8:0 lead as the crowd cheered.

Wang Chao dominated Mizutori Hato and moved within one point of a bagel, but Mizutori Hato faked a back injury to avoid losing 0:11. As he was carried off, he met Wang Chao’s gaze and revealed that he had been acting.

• Wang Chao countered Mizutori Hato’s body serve with a backhand flick to take a 9:0 lead.
• Mizutori Hato called a timeout, then launched a desperate forehand flick that Wang Chao returned, beginning a long exchange of smashes and high defensive lifts.
• Mizutori Hato prepared to finish the rally, but Wang Chao’s high return clipped the table edge and gave him the point for 10:0.
• Mizutori Hato cried out, pretended his back injury had flared up, and was carried away on a stretcher.
• Mizutori Hato opened his eyes, exchanged a cold smile with Wang Chao, and silently made clear that he had faked the injury to avoid being bagelled.

Michel swept Gao Mingyuan 4:0 after using short pips to transform his forehand and reach the men’s singles quarterfinals, where he was matched against Wang Chao. Wang Chao then reviewed the women’s singles bracket and focused on Ichikawa Mima’s upcoming match against Tang Yuanyuan.

• Michel used his new short-pips forehand to disrupt Gao Mingyuan, and Gao lost the first two games narrowly before Michel won the next two 11:5 and 11:1.
• After Coach Cheng Aimin advised Gao Mingyuan to rely more on his backhand, the tactic helped only slightly, and Michel swept him 4:0.
• The quarterfinal draw paired Hook with Lin Zijun, Fan Xiaodong with Zhang Benkuang, Li Zhengzhi with Wolf, and Michel with Wang Chao.
• Swedish fans grew uneasy about Michel’s next match because Wang Chao had beaten him decisively at the Hong Kong Open and had recently impressed fans with his matches against Sun Tianlong.
• Wang Chao watched the women’s singles bracket and saw that Ichikawa Mima would face Tang Yuanyuan, a player whose face and style he could not recall.

Wang Chao watched Ichikawa Mima overwhelm Tang Yuanyuan with her speed-based style, then began to notice that Tang Yuanyuan had surprising power and might be hiding considerable strength. The match continued with Ichikawa leading, while Wang Chao grew interested in what Tang Yuanyuan could do.

• Chen Tong adapted to Yamano Mia's extreme pace and won their match 4:2.
• Ichikawa Mima opened her match against Tang Yuanyuan with a deceptive circular serve and took the first game 11:5.
• Wang Chao recognized Ichikawa Mima's Extreme Speed Talent and suspected she also had Microscopic Precision.
• Ichikawa Mima led 6:2 in the second game, but Tang Yuanyuan retreated from the table and countered her attacks with powerful forehand loops.
• Tang Yuanyuan later attacked Ichikawa Mima's short underspin serve with a violent forehand flick, convincing Wang Chao that she possessed extraordinary explosive power.

Tang Yuanyuan tried to counter Ichikawa Mima’s speed by playing from mid-distance, but Ichikawa adapted and won the third game, leaving her down 3:0. Tang kept fighting in the fourth game, and after a timely timeout from Coach Ge Miao, she returned to the court still trailing.

• Ichikawa Mima won the second game 11:5 and extended her lead to 2:0 in games.
• Tang Yuanyuan backed away from the table and used powerful mid-distance loops to draw level at 7:7, but Ichikawa began targeting wide angles and won the game 11:7.
• Tang Yuanyuan stalled between points to search for a solution, but she could not stop Ichikawa from taking a 3:0 lead in games.
• Wang Chao judged that Tang Yuanyuan lacked the speed, reach, and touch needed to counter Ichikawa’s tactics, and worried that no Chinese rising star might be able to suppress Ichikawa in the future.
• Tang Yuanyuan continued fighting in the fourth game and narrowed the score to 8:6 before Coach Ge Miao called a timeout after Ichikawa frowned.
• During the timeout, Tang Yuanyuan drank a whole bottle of water and crushed it into a disc, prompting Wang Chao to label her a tomboy.

Tang Yuanyuan came back from the brink to defeat Ichikawa Mima 4:3, while a forum discussion failed to find a way to beat Hook. After reaching the quarterfinals, Lin Zijun asked Wang Chao for advice on how to defeat Hook.

• Tang Yuanyuan won the fourth game 11:8, then took the fifth 11:9 with a predicted counterattack that caught Ichikawa Mima off guard.
• Ichikawa Mima lost her composure and dropped the next three games, allowing Tang Yuanyuan to complete a 4:3 comeback and win the match.
• Tushan Duke Huan started a Silver Ball Dance Forum thread asking how to defeat Hook, but players and coaches could not find a reliable answer.
• Lin Zijun met Wang Chao at a Stockholm hotel buffet and asked him how to defeat Hook.

Lin Zijun asked Wang Chao and He Jingping how to defeat Hook, and they explained that the answer was defense because Hook’s style consumed too much mental energy. They traced the problem to Hook’s lack of a complete tactical system, leaving Lin Zijun with a clearer understanding of why Hook’s performance fluctuated.

• Lin Zijun asked Wang Chao how to defeat Hook, and Wang Chao and He Jingping both answered that the strategy was defense.
• Wang Chao explained that Hook’s unstable form came from a style that demanded excessive mental energy, not simply physical effort.
• Wang Chao pointed out that Hook’s forehand and backhand transitions were stiff and forced, and Lin Zijun recognized the flaw.
• He Jingping concluded that Hook lacked a complete tactical system, while Wang Chao explained that Hook had to analyze every ball and his own condition in real time.
• Wang Chao and He Jingping attributed Hook’s missing system to his early development without a capable coach and noted that changing his entrenched technique would be risky.

Wang Chao and He Jingping explained how Lin Zijun could counter Hook by feeding him conventional, lower-quality balls and defending, while also describing a more aggressive approach for other players. Lin Zijun tried their advice in the Swedish Open quarterfinals, lost 4–2 to Hook, but found evidence that the strategy could work.

• He Jingping criticized Rohlskov for taking credit for Hook’s development and explained why Hook’s relentless attacking style would eventually expose flaws.
• Wang Chao advised Lin Zijun to lower the quality of his returns, use conventional placements, and anticipate Hook’s habitual attacks instead of trying to outmatch him.
• He Jingping and Wang Chao identified Hook’s all-out, high-risk style as inherently unstable and physically damaging, then described how a powerful, steady player could fight him head-on.
• Lin Zijun changed his tactics against Hook in the Swedish Open quarterfinals, slowing the pace and sending conventional balls toward Hook’s forehand.
• Hook defeated Lin Zijun 4–2, but Lin Zijun’s defensive points and improved performance convinced him that Wang Chao’s method might help him win in a future match.

Fan Xiaodong crushed Zhang Benkuang 4:0, and Wolf defeated Li Zhengzhi 4:1 before Wang Chao faced Michel in a high-stakes home match. Swedish legend Old Wa appeared as Michel’s off-court coach, shifting European fans’ confidence toward Michel as the match was about to begin.

• Wang Chao discovered that He Jingping was coaching Fan Xiaodong in Qin Huachang’s absence, though Ge Miao did not know why Qin was away.
• Fan Xiaodong overwhelmed Zhang Benkuang with heavy, spinny loops and won 4:0, while He Jingping quietly left him to enjoy the crowd’s applause.
• Wolf contained Li Zhengzhi’s fast attacks and won 4:1, leaving Li’s ranking likely to fall further after the Swedish Open.
• Wang Chao prepared to face Michel in a grudge match that Swedish fans viewed as a contest for European table-tennis supremacy.
• Old Wa arrived at the arena and took the off-court coaching seat behind Michel, drawing a deafening response from the crowd.
• After Old Wa appeared on the broadcast, European fans’ predictions shifted, with Wang Chao’s projected chance of winning falling from 67% to 55%.

Wang Chao faced Michel, whose technique had improved under Old Wa’s guidance, and took an early 2:0 lead. Despite returning Michel’s powerful smashes, Wang Chao and He Jingping both looked puzzled, leaving the reason for their concern unclear.

• Wang Chao won the serve toss and opened with short backspin serves to Michel’s forehand.
• Michel held his own in short exchanges, then smashed a marginal ball that Wang Chao returned with a seemingly reflexive racket angle, giving Wang Chao the first point.
• Michel attacked Wang Chao’s baseline and drew him into a powerful mid-distance rally, but Wang Chao redirected the ball to Michel’s forehand.
• Michel unleashed a long-range flat smash, and Wang Chao again returned it with the same unusual movement to score and lead 2:0.
• Wang Chao continued to frown thoughtfully, and He Jingping showed the same puzzled expression from behind the barrier.

Wang Chao used anticipation to defend against Michel’s attacks, while Qin Huachang and Cai Guodong watched from the hospital and recognized the depth of his defensive skill. Michel adapted by playing more carefully, and the chapter ended as he struck at an opening Wang Chao had deliberately shown him.

• Michel struggled to explain how Wang Chao had returned two of his apparent winning shots and decided to keep attacking.
• Qin Huachang told Cai Guodong that Michel’s unorthodox style could become a serious threat, while they recognized Wang Chao’s returns as victories of anticipation.
• Cai Guodong and Qin Huachang recalled that Wang Chao’s early assessment footage showed he had mastered anticipation-based defense from the start.
• Michel served to Wang Chao’s forehand, then used a careful wide-angle push to force Wang Chao to scramble around the table and lift the ball back.
• Wang Chao and Michel traded short shots until Wang Chao’s return rose slightly, and Michel stepped in to attack the opening Wang Chao had deliberately offered.

Wang Chao used defensive counterattacks to take the first game from Michel, while Old Wa urged Michel to stay patient. In a hospital room, Cai Guodong and Qin Huachang discussed He Jingping’s public advice about playing Hook and the different approaches the coaches took; the chapter left the second game underway.

• Wang Chao blocked Michel’s attacks and won the first game 11:6, scoring nine points through defense.
• Old Wa told Michel to remain patient and keep playing his way, and Michel returned to the court for the second game.
• Cai Guodong and Qin Huachang discussed He Jingping and Wang Chao’s public conversation about how to play Hook.
• Cai Guodong explained that He Jingping had made the advice public to guide Fan Xiaodong and to criticize Rohlskov.
• Cai Guodong reflected on the coaches’ contrasting approaches, describing Qin Huachang as calculating and He Jingping as following an upright, attacking path.

Michel lost to Wang Chao 4–0, and Old Wa promised to take the blame and train him until he could win. After the match, Fan Xiaodong confessed that Qin Huachang had devised a secret strategy to beat Wang Chao and asked to practice against him before facing Hook.

• Michel calmed down after Old Wa reassured him, but Wang Chao's control and defense won him the third game 11–4.
• Old Wa told Michel that Wang Chao was using the match to practice for Hook, then revealed that he had come to protect Michel and Swedish table tennis after Morad's disgrace.
• Old Wa promised to take responsibility for Michel's loss and teach him everything he knew, while Michel returned to the court determined to play steadily.
• Wang Chao defeated Michel 11–3 in the fourth game, and angry spectators threw bottles and shoes onto the court as Wang Chao fled.
• Fan Xiaodong told Wang Chao that Qin Huachang had designed a secret strategy for him to use in their first official match, and explained that he confessed because Wang Chao had treated him well.
• Fan Xiaodong challenged Wang Chao to a practice match before his afternoon match against Hook.

Wang Chao refused Fan Xiaodong’s offer to reveal his hidden tactics, insisting that victory had to be earned on the table. As Hook and Fan Xiaodong began their semifinal, Fan read Hook’s opening attack with startling precision.

• Wang Chao rejected Fan Xiaodong’s private challenge and encouraged him to focus on beating Hook.
• Yin Di and Tang Yuanyuan reached the Women’s Singles final four alongside Wang Yu and Zhen Jing.
• The European crowd watched the semifinals with high stakes, as Hook faced Fan Xiaodong and Wolf faced Wang Chao.
• Hook won the serve and opened with a powerful Bullet Serve, which Fan returned with a low, precise backhand chop.
• Hook answered with an Overlord Twist, and Fan anticipated its trajectory and positioned his paddle to counter.

Fan Xiaodong’s defensive approach failed to stop Hook, who took a 4:0 lead in the first game. Qin Huachang accepted that Xiao Dong would need to attack instead, while worrying whether his student could beat Hook—and whether his own reading of Wang Chao had been mistaken.

• Hook won the opening point after Fan Xiaodong defended several powerful attacks, then took the next point with an extraordinary recovery and counterattack.
• Hook won a long looping rally and a later exchange that moved Fan Xiaodong from side to side, taking a 4:0 lead.
• The spectators and coaches watched as Fan Xiaodong’s defensive tactics proved unable to contain Hook’s power and spin.
• Qin Huachang told Sun Tianlong that Fan Xiaodong could not beat Hook through defense and wondered whether Wang Chao had deliberately exposed false weaknesses.

Fan Xiaodong lost the first two games to Hook after struggling with his timing and missing several attacks, while He Jingping stayed calm. In the third game, Fan Xiaodong finally outlasted Hook in a fierce power-loop rally and revealed that he had been a slow starter.

• Fan Xiaodong repeatedly missed attacks and lost the first game 11:2 after Hook built a commanding lead.
• Fan Xiaodong continued trading attacks with Hook but made more errors and lost the second game 11:6.
• He Jingping calmly told Fan Xiaodong to keep it up, while Rohlskov urged Hook to play steadily and avoid forcing attacks.
• Hook and Fan Xiaodong traded five powerful loops in the opening point of the third game as Hook's balance began to fail.
• Fan Xiaodong held his stance and forced Hook's next shot into an error, taking the point and thinking that he had only been a slow starter.

Fan Xiaodong overwhelmed Hook with relentless power and balance, exposing Hook’s instability and forcing him to abandon his attacking style. As Fan extended his lead, Rohlskov recognized that He Jingping had anticipated Hook’s weakness, and European fans watched Hook’s confidence collapse.

• Fan Xiaodong traded full-power attacks with Hook, whose unstable footwork caused him to lose the rally and fall behind 4:0.
• Rohlskov called a timeout and advised Hook to serve short backspin, but Fan countered Hook’s attacks with a long-distance forehand loop and widened the lead to 5:1.
• Rohlskov realized that He Jingping had understood Hook’s weakness and that his own confidence in his coaching had been misplaced.
• Hook tried to avoid attacking exchanges by pushing Fan’s serves short, but his weak short-game technique gave Fan an opening to attack.
• Fan twisted a wide-angle backhand past Hook, who gave up the chase, and the European spectators’ confidence collapsed as Hook’s defeat seemed imminent.

Fan Xiaodong defeated Hook 4–2 after trailing by two games, and He Jingping explained publicly that Hook had lost the unpredictable spark that once made him dangerous. Rohlskov realized his coaching had stabilized Hook at the cost of his potential and feared he might have ruined the young player.

• Fan Xiaodong came back from two games down to beat Hook 4–2, while Hook declined an interview and appeared shaken by the loss.
• Fan Xiaodong gave a prepared interview, and the host interviewed He Jingping, who said Hook had not played well despite his powerful shots.
• He Jingping explained that Hook’s attacks had become predictable and that Fan Xiaodong’s tactics succeeded because Hook had lost his former unpredictability.
• He Jingping said Luo Jiu could now beat Hook head-on, and the audience fell silent as they considered his assessment.
• Rohlskov realized his detailed coaching had stabilized Hook but diminished his spark, and he feared Hook might never recover his former potential.

After Wang Chao swept Wolf and the women’s singles finalists were decided, Hook secretly visited He Jingping to seek help with his troubled playing style. Wang Chao advised Hook to join China’s Table Tennis Super League to learn from its systematic players, and Hook agreed to consider joining a team through Wang Chao.

• Wang Chao defeated Wolf 4–0, leaving the men’s singles final between Wang Chao and Fan Xiaodong.
• Wang Yu beat Yin Di and Tang Yuanyuan beat Zhen Jing to reach the women’s singles final.
• Ge Miao and Wang Wendong discussed Wang Yu’s chances and the possible implications of winning for the mixed doubles lineup.
• Hook, accompanied by Tavares and a translator, visited He Jingping and asked for help understanding why he struggled to choose how to play.
• Wang Chao explained that Hook lacked a complete tactical system and advised him to play in the Table Tennis Super League to gain experience against Chinese players.
• Hook agreed to consider joining the league, and Wang Chao offered to help him find a team; after Hook left, He Jingping asked Wang Chao what he was planning.

Wang Chao revealed that he planned to send Hook to the Jiangcheng University Team to help Luo Jiu, and pressed He Jingping to explain Luo Jiu’s hidden relationship with Fan Xiaoxian. He learned that Luo Jiu had promised to marry her after winning Olympic gold, and the chapter left Wang Chao and He Jingping considering how Hook might be handled in the Super League.

• Wang Chao told He Jingping he wanted Hook to become a sparring partner for Wu Li and a helper for Luo Jiu, not a Spade Q player.
• Wang Chao pieced together that Luo Jiu and Fan Xiaoxian were dating and guessed that Luo Jiu had promised to marry her after winning a major title.
• He Jingping admitted that Luo Jiu had promised Fan Xiaoxian he would return and marry her after winning an Olympic championship.
• He Jingping explained that Luo Jiu had asked him to keep the relationship secret because he feared Wang Chao might give up competing for an Olympic singles spot out of sympathy.
• Wang Chao and He Jingping agreed that Hook’s deep-rooted flaws would limit his improvement, and discussed sending him to the Jiangcheng University Team to help Luo Jiu pursue a Super League title.