One wondered if fate would play a part for Liu Shiwen in 2019; just as it had done for her male compatriot, Ma Lin. Commencing in 2000 in Yangzhou, concluding in Paris in 2006, in a seven year period he had won the Men’s World Cup on four occasions but throughout his illustrious career, the men’s singles title at a World Championships had proved elusive.

It was somewhat similar for Liu Shiwen, starting in 2009 in Guangzhou she had secured the Women’s World Cup title four times but the World Championships title remained a dream.

Somewhat differently, from a debut in 2009 in Yokohama at a World Championships, on every occasion Liu Shiwen had reserved a women’s singles podium finish but never the top step. In the Japanese city she had reached the semi-final round before experiencing defeat; it was the same two years later in Rotterdam and in 2017 in Düsseldorf. The third step of the podium her lot; in 2013 in Paris and in 2015 in Suzhou she had concluded matters the runner up.

One wonders, was this her last chance? In June 2021 when the World Championships are held in Houston, Texas, Liu Shiwen will be 30 years old. Following the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Li Xiaoxia announced her retirement; at the time she was 28 years old.

Spring in the step

In Budapest, the month of April, there was spring in the air, spring in the step of Liu Shiwen, she reached the semi-final stage of the women’s singles event with the loss of just one game; that being in the quarter-finals when facing Japan’s Miyu Kato (11-9, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5).

Nothing unusual but then unusual; in the semi-final against Ding Ning, she emerged successful without surrendering a single point in the fifth game (6-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-0, 11-2). Incredibly, in the final, she did the same again when confronting Chen Meng (9-11, 11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 11-0, 11-9).

At last, the top step of the podium and it was the top step of the podium for the second time in Budapest. She did not play in the women’s doubles but in the mixed partnered Xu Xin to gold; it was in that event, she experienced her only full distance contest. At the quarter-final stage the duo needed the full seven games to end the hopes of the Korea Republic’s Lee Sangsu and Jeon Jihee (10-12, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7).

Established record

In fact, it was the only time in her four world title appearances when Liu Shiwen was extended the full distance.

Joining forces with Chen Meng, Ding Ning, Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu, there were no such travails in the Zen-Noh Team World Cup in Tokyo; a situation that had prevailed the previous month on October in Chengdu when securing the Uncle Pop 2019 Women’s World Cup title at the final expense of compatriot Zhu Yuling (4-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6, 3-11, 11-9).

The win meant Liu Shiwen avenged the narrow defeat she had suffered at the hands of Zhu Yuling in the final in 2017 in Markham; her only ever defeat in the Women’s World Cup.

Moreover, it meant she surpassed the record of four wins, held by her illustrious predecessors, Wang Nan and Zhang Yining; Wang Nan in the 11 year period between 1997 and 2007, Zhang Yining from 2001 to 2005.

Anomaly

Similarly, on the ITTF World Tour, she secured the women’s doubles title on home soil in China partnering Gu Yuting, in Japan in harness with Chen Meng. Also, alongside Xu Xin in mixed doubles, she won in Hungary, Qatar and Sweden as well as at the Grand Finals

Six titles but an anomaly, not one women’s singles crown. She came close in Qatar and Japan, being the runner up; in Hungary it was a semi-final exit. In China, Sweden and at the Grand Finals a quarter-final departure. Meanwhile, in the Korea Republic it was a second round farewell, in Austria, the opening round marked her leave of absence.

Surprise outcomes, it was the same when in February she appeared at the ITTF Challenge Series Portugal Open, she was beaten in the third round by Japan’s Hina Hayata.

Not alone

World champion and World Cup winner but no ITTF World Tour women’s singles title; Liu Shiwen is not alone. In 2003, the same happened to colleague Wang Nan, at the time the reigning Olympic champion.

Looking back at the Star Awards evening, Liu Shiwen was in good company. Now looking forward to 2020 Liu Shiwen would appear to be also in good company, Wang Nan a good omen?