Saudi Smash 2024 concluded with dramatic finals, as Chen Meng and Wang Chuqin captured the Women’s and Men’s Singles titles respectively, while Patrick Franziska made a historic run to the final.
In the Women’s Singles final, No.4 seed Chen Meng clinched the title with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Sun Yingsha (6-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8). This victory reaffirmed Chen’s status at the top of the Women’s Singles discipline in WTT Grand Smashes, securing her second title and propelling her back to World No.2. Chen’s victory was a display of tenacity and strategic depth, particularly notable for rebounding strongly after initial setbacks, mirroring their intense encounter in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games final.
Chen Meng’s journey through Saudi Smash was marked by consistent excellence and crucial victories, which have solidified her reputation as one of the sport’s most formidable competitors. With this win, Chen not only secures her return to the top of the world rankings but also cements her legacy as a key player in the international table tennis arena, having now claimed her second WTT Grand Smash title since her last triumph at Singapore Smash 2022.
Video Highlights
Highlights from Finals (11 May 2024) Part 1:
https://media.archive.worldtabletennis.com/record/~37df0ad75a
Highlights from Finals (11 May 2024) Part 2:
https://media.archive.worldtabletennis.com/record/~c8e2c030a3
“I’m very excited, very happy and still find it unbelievable as it exceeded my expectations. Throughout my Saudi Smash journey, each match was a big hurdle. I gave my best to make it here and ultimately won the finals. Facing the match against Shasha, I hoped that luck would be on my side to clinch the title. Despite a few times reaching the finals, I haven’t claimed a title since Singapore Smash 2022. It’s far from easy to turn an opportunity into a victory. I’m really happy.” – Chen Meng
The Men’s Singles final saw Wang Chuqin securing a 4-2 win over Patrick Franziska (11-2, 11-7, 11-5, 8-11, 10-12, 11-6). Having already taken down the Mixed Doubles title with Sun Yingsha and the Men’s Doubles with Ma Long, the Men’s Singles trophy add the final feather in Wang’s cap here in Jeddah as he achieved the Saudi Smash triple crown. With the win also falling on Wang’s 24th birthday, the title provided a perfect celebration.
“I could’ve taken all three titles in the last Grand Smash, unfortunately I didn’t. Thanks to the birthday blessings, I’m able to win three titles this time, which I’m happy about. It may seem like some of these trophies were easier than others to get, but in reality, the entire Saudi Smash journey has been long and tough for me, which is also the biggest gain and help I got.” – Wang Chuqin
German competitor Patrick Franziska’s journey to the final marked a significant milestone, as he became the first player outside of China to reach a WTT Grand Smash singles final. His path included remarkable victories over higher-ranked players, showcasing his capability and determination at the highest level of the sport. Franziska’s resilience was on full display as he overcame early deficits and intense pressure to make his first major final, ensuring his rise to the top 10 in the upcoming world rankings.
“It was an incredible journey. I nearly exited in my first match, then triumphed over Fan Zhendong, secured a 4-0 win against my teammate, and faced a nail-biting semifinal. Saudi Smash was immensely enjoyable — undoubtedly the best event I’ve ever played. Naturally, there’s a tinge of disappointment in losing a final, but today, he was simply the superior player. He played incredibly well. The pace in the first three games caught me off guard, and it took some time to adjust to his level. I switched up my serve, which put him on edge, but he’s truly in a league of his own.” – Patrick Franziska
As the curtains close on Saudi Smash 2024, the focus shifts to the WTT Champions Chongqing 2024, where top players are set to compete later this month. WTT remains at the forefront of promoting table tennis globally, with Saudi Smash exemplifying the sport’s burgeoning appeal and the successful execution of premier international competitions.
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About the Saudi Table Tennis Federation
The Saudi Table Tennis Federation is the national governing body for the sport dedicated to developing and promoting table tennis throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In line with the Kingdom’s transformative 2030 vision, the Saudi table tennis federation aims to increase participation in table tennis amongst Saudis, develop grassroot to high-performance pathways and pave the way for Saudi talent to succeed on the global table tennis stage.
Credit: WTT Press