The 2024 ITTF Singles World Cup in Macau, China enters the penultimate day of competition, with four semi-finals to be played.
There were two men's singles semi-finals.
The first game is played by Wang Chuqin against Ma Long, and it is expected to be played at 18:50.
In this event, Ma Long and Wang Chuqin were in very good shape. Wang Chuqin defeated Hugo 4-2 and Zhang Yuzhen 4-1 to advance to the men's singles semifinals. Ma Long defeated French supernova F. Lebrun 4-2 and Japanese player Hayasuke Togami 4-2 to advance to the men's singles semifinals.
So what will happen to the semi-finals?
If you want to talk about the recent form, Wang Chuqin's state is a little better. After all, he is young, and he has won the men's singles championship in many international competitions recently, and he has reached his best form. For this World Cup, Wang Chuqin gave up the Incheon Championship. His goal is simple, to win the men's singles title at this singles World Cup. He hasn't won the men's singles championship in the three major tournaments, so he is a head shorter than Sasha, how faceless. Wang Chuqin is full of energy to play well in this event and hopes to win the championship.
Ma Long, he has all the championships, and he basically won multiple championships. World Cup singles champions, Ma Long has two. He doesn't have a big desire for the title, as long as he doesn't lose the foreign battle. Of course, as long as Ma Long plays his level, then he can see who kills whom, although Ma Long is old.
The two have been teammates for many years, both in the national team and at the club. Ma Long is one round older than Wang Chuqin, and he has always taken care of Wang Chuqin. The two have played against each other many times in the international arena, and Wang Chuqin has an absolute advantage. This is relatively rare. Although Wang Chuqin's strength is very strong, the strength of the hexagonal warrior Ma Long is even stronger, how can he not beat Wang Chuqin.
Therefore, the outcome of this game is difficult to predict. Wang Chuqin has a better chance of winning.
The other men's singles semi-final will be played by Lin Gaoyuan against Tomokazu Zhangmoto, which is expected to be played at 20:30.
The first men's singles semi-final was a national table tennis civil war. In fact, it doesn't matter who wins. They are all table tennis players that we like, and they are all very strong, and they all have the possibility of winning the championship. It's good for everyone to enjoy the good game.
The second men's singles semi-final was crucial. If Lin Gaoyuan loses to Tomokazu Zhangmoto, then the final will be difficult to say. Tomokazu Haramoto is an emotional player. If he plays well, he can play at a very high level and win against all the players. If he has a problem with his mentality, he can also lose the game in a vague way and stage a round. Tomokazu Harimoto is a player who is not good at controlling his emotions.
Lin Gaoyuan has lost to Tomokazu Zhang in international competitions. In the men's singles final of the 2018 ITTF Tour Finals, Lin Gaoyuan lost 1-4 to Tomokazu Zhang and was the runner-up. Tomokazu Zhangmoto, who was only 15 years old at the time, became the youngest men's singles champion at the ITTF year-end finals. Lin Gaoyuan became a foil.
In the men's singles final of the WTT Budapest Championships in July 2022, Lin Gaoyuan once again faced Tomokazu Zhangmoto. Lin Gaoyuan won the first three games and won the championship in sight.
Unexpectedly, Lin Gaoyuan suddenly lost his state, lost four games in a row, lost to Tomokazu Zhangmoto, and missed the championship again. Lin Gaoyuan once again became Zhang Benzhihe's foil.
Lin Gaoyuan suffered a heavy blow and was criticized by fans for his psychological quality being too fragile and his ability to resist pressure was too poor. Lin Gaoyuan carried a heavy burden.
The two met again, and Lin Gaoyuan ushered in a chance for revenge.
If you want to talk about technology, there is nothing to say, Lin Gaoyuan will only be stronger than Zhang Benzhihe. But the game should not only look at the technique, but also on the performance on the spot, as well as the psychological quality.
I hope Lin Gaoyuan doesn't have to carry a burden and plays this game well.