Men's Team Final | MA Long vs FAN Zhendong | China National Games 2025

The men's team final at the China National Games 2025 gives us a rare moment. Beijing led by Ma Long against Shanghai led by Fan Zhendong 2 generations, 2 legends. Every fan dreams of a direct duel between them. But the team format rarely gives us that luxury. Ma Long today is not the Ma Long of 2017. But his presence still changes the psychology of a match. He knows when to step in, when to save a team, when to lift the pressure. Fan Zhendong, on the other side, is now the absolute pillar of Chinese table tennis. Stronger, faster, and more stable than anyone in the world. In a head-to-head today, the odds go to Fan Zhendong. But if there is one player in the history of our sport, who can suddenly reach another gear, it's Ma Long. The predicted lineup is logical. First match, Ma Long and Huang against Xu Xin and Zhou Kai. Second match, Wang Chuqin against Fan Zhendong. Ma Long will most likely be placed as a third player. If Beijing leads 2-0, he finishes the job. If Beijing trails 0-2, he is the only one who can force a comeback. Many fans imagine another scenario. Beijing pairing Ma Long and Wang Chuqin together in doubles to secure the first point. Then using Wang Chuqin again in the third match to lock a second point. This creates the perfect pathway to a deciding fifth match, where Ma Long could face Fan Zhendong. A remake of their 2021 National Games showdown. Technically possible, emotionally perfect, tactically risky. As for Xu Xin, he is far more retired than Ma Long. The gap is clear. His loss against Wang Chuqin earlier showed the reality of the level difference. Now, a Ma Long vs Xu Xin match today would carry nostalgia, not competitiveness. Most likely, we will not see Ma Long vs Fan Zhendong. The structure of the team match, and the logic of the coaches push us away from that dream. But this is Chinese table tennis. Surprises happen only when both sides fight to the absolute limit. If the match goes long, if the double becomes complicated, if Wang Chuqin drops a point, the door opens. And if that door opens, even for a moment, we might finally get the last great chapter of the Ma Long vs Fan Zhendong rivalry. Go! Read more about table tennis on my blog, PingSunday.com. Get free ebook and coaching advices. See you in the next video.