On December 30, 2024, the second stage of the Ping Super League saw Shenzhen University face off against Shanghai Longteng. This match was not just a contest of skill and endurance but also seemed to be a battle for the fate of both teams. Ultimately, Sun Yingsha overcame He Zhuojia with a score of 3-1, securing the situation for Shenzhen University. While the match was thrilling, the issue of biased commentary also sparked significant controversy, leaving many fans dissatisfied.
The background of this match is far from simple, as the first spot in the women's team final of the Ping Super League was at stake. Sun Yingsha from Shenzhen University is widely recognized as the core player, while Shanghai Longteng boasts strong contenders like Chen Yi and Liu Weishan. Judging from the pre-match lineup, Shenzhen University had a clear advantage thanks to Sun Yingsha's formidable strength. However, Shanghai Longteng's doubles combination was also a cause for concern, as Chen Yi and Liu Weishan are known for their excellent teamwork.
Firstly, let's talk about the women's doubles match where Kuai Man and Tan Yuxuan faced Chen Yi and Liu Weishan. This match between two temporarily paired teams appeared quite dramatic. In the first set, Kuai Man and Tan Yuxuan took the lead with an 11-7 victory, but the situation quickly turned around. Chen Yi and Liu Weishan demonstrated remarkable resilience and counterattacking ability, winning the second set (11-4), the third set (11-8), and finally clinching the match in the decisive set with a 12-10 victory. Throughout the process, Shanghai Longteng's doubles partnership became increasingly默契, while Shenzhen University's Kuai Man and Tan Yuxuan seemed caught off guard.
However, the focus of post-match discussions was not solely on the match itself but also on the issue of biased commentary. Fans expressed that the commentator overly focused on the performance of Shanghai Longteng's players, with little attention given to Shenzhen University's players, especially Kuai Man and Tan Yuxuan. Some netizens even commented that they almost forgot who the Shenzhen University players were, as the commentary felt like a Shanghai Longteng exclusive event! This partiality angered many Shenzhen University fans, leading them to watch the match on mute and sparking extensive discussions on social media. One netizen asked, "Has the commentator lost his mind?" Another netizen suggested that commentary should be fairer and not one-sided. It is evident that the commentator's bias left many fans feeling very dissatisfied, as they all hope to see objective and impartial commentary rather than a one-sided event.
Moving on to the singles match, Sun Yingsha faced He Zhuojia. This match was full of highlights, as the two are familiar opponents with a deep understanding of each other's playing styles. Although He Zhuojia has always performed well in external matches, particularly against Japanese players, facing an opponent like Sun Yingsha, who is comprehensive and adaptable, posed a significant challenge. At the start of the match, He Zhuojia showed dominance, taking the first set with a 10-8 lead, which once put Sun Yingsha in a passive position. However, Sun Yingsha, being no ordinary player, withstood the pressure at a critical moment, successfully leveled the score, and completed a comeback with a 12-10 victory in the first set. From the second set onwards, Sun Yingsha entered her prime, with flexible tactics, precise serving, and varied attacking strategies that quickly disrupted He Zhuojia's rhythm. She won the second set 11-5 and the third set 11-5, hardly giving He Zhuojia any opportunities. Despite He Zhuojia's attempts to adjust in the fourth set, even showing some improvement after a mid-game timeout, Sun Yingsha's strength remained overwhelming, ultimately securing a 13-11 victory and locking in the win with a 3-1 score.
The most crucial aspect of the match was Sun Yingsha's strong mental fortitude and adaptability. Especially when she was close to losing the first set, she managed to stabilize her mentality and turn the tide to win; later on, she hardly gave her opponent any chances in each set, maintaining a steady approach without making any mistakes in detail. Sun Yingsha's strength lies in her ability to seize opportunities and make adjustments at critical moments, ultimately overcoming her opponents.
Some netizens commented on the match situation, saying: "Sun Yingsha is truly a calm and ruthless character; she almost lost the first set but managed to readjust her state, and it was completely her showtime afterward." Another netizen felt that Sun Yingsha's victory was not just a technical gap but more about psychological maturity: "The better the match, the more nervous it gets, the more she can hold on. Compared to other players, Sha Sha indeed has that composure and steadiness."
Despite Sun Yingsha's outstanding individual performance, Shenzhen University's overall performance remains a concern. Shanghai Longteng's doubles combination displayed impressive collaboration, putting considerable pressure on Shenzhen University. Even though Sun Yingsha can step up, if the other players from Shenzhen University cannot keep up, the upcoming matches could become challenging. Some netizens pointed out: "In singles, Sun Yingsha is undoubtedly top-tier, but in doubles... Shenzhen University needs to seriously reflect; they cannot rely on just one player." Other players, especially Kuai Man, must step up. This is a real problem that Shenzhen University faces; if the doubles and other singles players' performances cannot match Sun Yingsha's, the competition for the final spot will become exceedingly difficult.
As for Shanghai Longteng, although they won the women's doubles in this match, the challenges ahead are not insignificant. The combination of Chen Yi and Liu Weishan is undoubtedly outstanding, but whether the other players from Shanghai Longteng can keep up is still a big question. After this match, their confidence should receive a boost, but the gap in overall strength remains a problem that Shanghai Longteng needs to address.
This match not only showcased Sun Yingsha's absolute strength but also revealed potential concerns for Shenzhen University. The biased commentary became a hot topic after the match, adding complexity to what should have been a focus on the competition itself. As the final spots draw near, every upcoming match is filled with suspense.