Japanese Media: No one except Wang Chuqin can challenge Tomson Chiharu
According to a September 12 article by Japanese media outlet THE DIGEST, at the WTT Macao Championships, Tomson Chiharu delivered an astonishing performance that surprised the Chinese team.
In the men's singles quarterfinals on the 12th, Tomson Chiharu faced Chinese player Zhou Qihao. He won the first set 11-5, the second 11-4, and the third 11-8. Although he lost the fourth set 11-6, he bounced back to win the fifth set 11-8, ultimately defeating Zhou Qihao 4-1 and advancing to the semifinals.
Even China's domestic sports media analyzed Tomson Chiharu's performance. Zhou Qihao was almost entirely dominated throughout the match, with this disparity particularly evident in the "first three shots" (serve, receive, and third-shot attack).
Tomson told reporters: "As soon as the ball is slightly above the table, I immediately switch to offense."
Moreover, Tomson effectively utilized his recently practiced reverse-side flick technique, which caught Zhou Qihao off guard—his inability to respond exceeded Tomson’s expectations.
In addition, Tomson took the initiative, gaining an advantage through rapid attacks and high-quality serve returns that controlled his opponent.
Following this victory, media outlets were astonished by Tomson Chiharu's current level of ability.
Japanese sports media have all predicted that, among Chinese players, only world No. 1 Wang Chuqin will be able to truly compete against Tomson Chiharu at the upcoming Asian Games.
The Japanese media concluded: Tomson Chiharu has once again become a nightmare for China's national table tennis team.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876118209220684/
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