Table Tennis: Super Grand Slam

Chapter 51: The first time the unicorn, dragon, phoenix and turtle go together, men's doubles pairing

If it weren’t for the 2008 Table Tennis World Championship, it would have been January 1th.

The Slovenia Open starts on the 13th, and it would be impossible to arrive there without taking an international flight, but Li Ying still wants to sign up.

If it's in the country or Asia, that's fine.

But in faraway Europe.

"Brother Qian, but I remember that among the superstars from the foreign association, Tim, Dimitri, and Truss all came to Star City to participate in the World Table Tennis Championships. They also didn't have time to participate in the Slovenia Open."

Li Ying said with a frown.

"Aying, there are more than three superstars from the foreign association. The final this time is Felix VS Furukawa Tomoaki. Su Yan and Kong Fengge were blocked from entering the final by them respectively." Chen Daqian said in a deep voice.

Right now.

Led by Dong Yaobang, Kong Fengge's head coach Liao Huazhong and Xu Guinian's head coach Qin Yucheng immediately came out.

After that, there were five players from the national table tennis team who lowered their heads to the ground.

"Men's team, assemble!"

Dong Yaobang said in a deep voice.

Suddenly, in the training hall.

Whether it is the national table tennis team one or the national table tennis team two, all gathered quickly.

The Chinese table tennis team stood in two rows, and the default rule was that the main players of the team stood in the front.

The last few people in team one stood in the second row.

But after standing still, Dong Yaobang said in a deep voice: "Li Ying, Meng Li, take a step forward and stand at the front!"

then.

Li Ying and Meng Li took a step forward, separated from the large group, and stood out like a crane among chickens.

Seeing this scene, the most embarrassed among the core players of the national table tennis team was Ma Qing.

But there's nothing he can do, it's his fault for losing the foreign war.

Needless to say, Li Ying has never lost a foreign battle since his debut.

Monli is now at his peak and has also not lost any foreign wars.

"Dear players, what I want to tell you today is that there are a lot of superstar table tennis players from foreign associations recently, and their strength is improving very quickly. Their technical and tactical improvement speed far exceeds that of our Xiaguo national table tennis team."

"So next, the Xiaguo national table tennis team still needs to reform. Don't blame me for not giving you opportunities. What you need to do is to seize the opportunity when it comes."

"So, after discussion and decision by the coaching staff, our Xiaguo national table tennis team will select the list of players to participate in the Yokohama World Table Tennis Championships. Just like the year before, we will adopt the direct selection method. In short, any player in the team is eligible."

"But whether you can be selected depends on your performance in the team's grand round-robin tournament. All players on a team must participate in this direct-to-Yokohama grand round-robin tournament. If you want to qualify, then show your strength. First, start by conquering your teammates."

"During this period, the new generation of national table tennis players should participate in open tournaments as much as possible to hone their skills. Especially in February, there are two relatively heavyweight open tournaments."

"If nothing unexpected happens, the first phase of the team's round-robin tournament should start in early February, before the Kuwait Open."

"Time is running out. The next focus of the national table tennis team is to escort the players participating in the Denmark Open. Other players who are not participating in the open will stay in the imperial capital for training. In short, this year may not be easy."

"Registration for the Denmark Open has been finalized by the coaching staff. The men's singles players are Li Ying, Liang Long, Kong Fengge, and Xu Guinian. For the men's doubles, the four of you will draw lots to pair up next."

After Dong Yaobang finished his speech, the National Table Tennis Team One and Team Two were disbanded.

Li Ying, Liang Long, Kong Fengge and Xu Guinian, called the new generation of unicorns, dragons, phoenixes and turtles by Xiaguo netizens, gathered in front of the ping-pong table.

Chen Daqian, Qin Yucheng and Liao Huazhong will be the head coaches and will lead the team this time.

As for Wu Weijin, he had to stay in the imperial capital and assist Dong Yaobang in the daily training of the national table tennis team.

At this moment, Dong Yaobang came over.

"For the four of you, do you have a favorite combination for men's doubles?"

Dong Yaobang asked curiously.

As he spoke, his eyes looked around.

After the words fell, Liang Long and Kong Fengge looked at each other. Kong Fengge said in a deep voice: "Liang Long and I will play men's doubles!"

Li Ying was not surprised to see this scene.

Because after his rise, Liang Long and Kong Fengge often trained together.

Because they imitate each other's playing style.

"In that case, there's no need to draw lots. I'll go with Brother Xu!" Li Ying said with a smile.

Xu Guinian is left-handed and Li Ying is right-handed. If they pair up, their men's doubles will definitely not be weaker than the Liang Long/Kong Fengge combination.

of course.

Only after the baptism of actual combat can we know how strong each other is.

"That's it, let's start training!"
-
Frederikshavn, Denmark.

On January 1th, local time, the Xiaguo national table tennis team arrived at the hotel where they were staying.

I have a competition tomorrow and I don’t have time to adjust to the jet lag.

At 16:00 in the afternoon, the event organizer held a press conference for the draw ceremony.

The local TV station broadcast the press conference live. Li Ying, Liang Long, Kong Fengge and Xu Guinian were watching the press conference in their hotel room.

As for the drawing of lots, that is still the business of the three coaches.

"Brother Long, you are the number one seed in the men's singles of this open tournament!" Li Ying said with a smile.

Denmark Open, singles seeding is determined by the latest world rankings.

It is naturally impossible for Mengli and Ma Qing to participate in open tournaments of this level again.

"That's just the singles seeding ranking, it's useless." Liang Long laughed, "What's more, my world ranking is not recognized by the team!"

Kong Fengge comforted him, "Along, don't listen to those who can't even win an open championship. Your world ranking points are actually third in the world. Even if you accumulate more open championships, it proves your strength."

"Unlike me, I haven't even made it into the top 20 in the world so far. Not to mention the world's third place."

"I'm worse off than all of you. This time I got the worst scolding!" Xu Guinian said with a smile.

Li Ying laughed and said, "Anyway, I don't even have a world ranking, so I don't want to talk to you big guys!"

Li Ying looked at the TV.

Liang Long is the No. 1 seed, Thiem is the No. 2 seed, Dimitri is the No. 3 seed, and Truth is the No. 4 seed.

四大种子，分别坐镇1/4区、2/4区、3/4区、4/4区。

Next, it is the turn of the unseeded players to draw lots.

"Aying, I don't want to be in the same division with you. You must not come to the 1/4 division!" At this moment, Liang Long clasped his hands together and closed his eyes, as if he was praying.

"Fuck!"

As Liang Long wished, Li Ying did not fall into the 1/4 zone, but Xu Guinian happened to be in the 1/4 zone.

At the same time, Kong Fengge was in zone 2/4.

Li Ying finally landed in zone 4/4.

Seeing this draw, Li Ying smiled and said, "Brothers, come on, show our unicorn, dragon, phoenix and turtle spirit. We must meet in the semi-finals!"

"I can't do it. I'm in zone 1/4." Xu Guinian looked up at the sky and didn't want to say anything. This meant that he and Liang Long would have to fight.

And right now.

The complete draw list has been released.

"Brother Xu, you and Brother Long will meet in the second round!" This is the only way Li Ying can comfort Xu Guinian now.

Xu Guinian: “???”

(End of this chapter)