Cheng Che's performance in the third set was phenomenal in the tennis world.
Europe Sports Channel aired a special program titled "What level is Cheng Che at in the third set?"
We invited three retired veterans to analyze the game together. Some said it was an explosion after the clay court adaptation period ended, some said it was a psychological breakthrough, and others dissected his shot selection in that set from a technical perspective, concluding that every decision he made in the third set seemed to be pre-calculated.
"He seems to know where Ruud will hit the ball every time," a retired star player said. "When Ruud hits a drop shot, he starts moving in advance. When Ruud hits a wide cross-court forehand, he moves in advance. This kind of anticipation is terrifying on clay, because the ball speed is slower on clay, and you have more time to think. But Cheng Che's thinking speed is a level faster than others."
The betting companies were the quickest to act.
Before the French Open, Cheng Che was ranked fourth in odds of winning the title, behind Ruud, Zverev, and Sinner.
After the semi-finals, his odds jumped to first place, leaving Zverev far behind.
But not everyone is optimistic about him.
A Spain tennis commentator posted the following on social media:
" Zverev is a clay-court player by profession. He lost to Zverev on hard court at the Australian Open, 3-2, which was very close. Cheng Che might not be able to beat Zverev on clay. Ruud's clay-court experience is not in the same league as Zverev's. Zverev's forehand topspin is heavier on clay than Ruud's, and his serve is better."
This post was shared thousands of times, and the comment section was in complete chaos.
Domestically, Cheng Che's fans are discussing this in the supertopic.
To be honest, I'm a little worried; Zverev is really good on clay.
[But he lost to Che Baby at the Australian Open.]
[ The Australian Open is on hard courts, clay is different. What that Spain said makes sense.]
[I'm not being pessimistic, I'm just a little nervous. Can Cheng Che maintain that form from the third set in the final?]
If he can maintain that level of play from the third set, no one can stop him.
The question is whether he can maintain that level. It's impossible to have that kind of form in every game.
Stop worrying about it. When has Cheng Che ever let us down?
But the final is a Grand Slam final, and the opponent is Zverev.
I don't care, I believe him.
Guo Xin posted a message in the super topic using his main account.
He has the "veteran" label in Cheng Che's super topic, has a large number of fans, and his words usually carry weight.
"Just trust Che Baby, that's all." He started to boost morale. "I've known him since high school. When has this guy ever let me down? You're worried about Zverev's clay court prowess, but isn't Ruud strong? Before the match, everyone said Ruud was a clay court expert, but look what happened in the third set. Cheng Che, the more you doubt him, the more he'll shut you up. Just wait and see the final."
Below were comments like "Brother Xin is right" and "I'm relieved."
Meanwhile, on a campus in Capital City, Su Miaoyin was lying on her sofa at home, her hair in a bun, wearing pajamas, holding her phone in front of her, arguing with a troll.
That troll posted a message in Cheng Che's supertopic:
" Cheng Che can't win the clay Champion; Zverev is the true king of clay. Cheng Che's fans, stop dreaming."
Su Miaoyin read it and replied directly:
" Zverev lost the Australian Open final, and you call him the King of Clay? The King of Clay got swept 3-2 by Cheng Che on hard courts, so what is Cheng Che? The God of Hard Courts?"
The troll replied, " The Australian Open is the Australian Open, and the French Open is the French Open. Can clay courts and hard courts be the same?"
Su Miaoyin typed rapidly:
"Clay and hard courts are different, but do you know Cheng Che? He learns everything very quickly. In the first round of the French Open, he hesitated even when sliding, but by the quarterfinals, he was already like someone who had played on clay his whole life. No matter how good Zverev is on clay, can he improve faster than Cheng Che?"
The critics persisted. "What's the use of rapid improvement? What about finals experience? This Cheng Che's first time playing in French Open final, how many finals has Zverev played in?"
Su Miaoyin rolled her eyes and typed a line:
" Cheng Che had never played in Australian Open Australian Open final before. Then he came back from 0-2 down to win 3-2. What else do you want to say?"
The troll paused for a moment, then replied, "That's the Australian Open."
Su Miaoyin replied with a single word, "Oh."
She tossed her phone onto the sofa, then thought for a moment, picked it up again, and posted a new message:
"Some people were pessimistic before the match, and then said they should have known afterward. Cheng Che doesn't need your support; he just needs you to watch quietly."
After sending the message, she placed her phone face down on the sofa, rolled over while hugging a cushion, and muttered:
"It's so annoying, these people are always predicting the worst."
Meanwhile, in Paris, the day of the French Open final arrived.
Philippe Chatrier Stadium, 3 p. m.
The stands were packed, just like the semi-finals, with 15,000 seats and not a single empty one.
The stadium roof was open, the sky was the kind of blue you see in Paris summer, and the sunlight slanted down, making the clay court shine.
In the players' tunnel, Cheng Che stood at the front, with Qin Lie and Chen Wei behind him.
Zverev stood a few steps away on the other side of the passage.
Zverev glanced at him.
Cheng Che glanced at him as well.
The two did not look at each other or nod.
But the atmosphere was like two swords clashing in their sheaths.
The on-site announcement system came on.
"The first to enter is Alexander Zverev from Germany— "
A round of applause erupted from the stands.
Zverev walked out of the tunnel, wearing a black jersey, with a somber expression.
Because no one understands Cheng Che's strength better than him.
He walked to his seat, put down his golf bag, and began to organize his equipment.
Then the loudspeaker came on.
"Next to enter is Cheng Che from Xia Country— "
In that instant, the entire stadium seemed to ignite.
Cheers erupted from all sides of the stands; some were shouting his name, some were waving national flags, and some were holding up signs that read " French Open Champion " and waving them frantically.
Cheng Che walked out of the players' tunnel.
He was wearing a white jersey with the national flag pinned to his chest and carrying a jersey bag.
The sunlight shone on him, making him look very bright.
Then the [ Stars Surrounding the Moon ] effect was triggered, and the cheers rose even higher.
He walked to his seat, put down his bag, took out his racket, and stood behind the baseline.
The referee announced the coin toss. Cheng Che won and chose to serve first.
He dribbled the ball twice, looked up, and glanced at Zverev on the other side.
He glanced at the ball.
100!
Then he closed his eyes and activated [ Total Concentration ].
He opened his eyes again, and the tiger hidden within them suddenly pounced!
The massacre has begun!