Fan Zhendong returns the ball during the men's singles semifinal against Wang Chuqin at the 2021 WTT (World Table Tennis) Grand Smashes Trials and Olympic Simulation in Xinxiang, central China's Henan province, May 6, 2021. (XU YANAN / XINHUA)

WUHAN - World top paddler Fan Zhendong clinched the men's singles gold after defeating world No 13 Lin Gaoyuan 4-2 at the 2022 China National Table Tennis Championships in Huangshi, Hubei province on Saturday.

Lin once led the first game 7-4 before Fan came from behind to turn the table 11-8. The second game got even more heated, as the two paddlers battled from 6-6 to 18-18 before Fan won it 20-18

Lin once led the first game 7-4 before Fan came from behind to turn the table 11-8. The second game got even more heated, as the two paddlers battled from 6-6 to 18-18 before Fan won it 20-18.

Lin clawed back with an overwhelming 11-4 victory in the third game, but Fan regained the lead to 3-1. After Lin managed an 11-9 victory in the fifth, Fan hit back to secure his crown with an identical score in the sixth game.

"I was more or less hesitant as the game went on tonight. When it came to the fourth game, I told myself that as long as I believe in my ability to cope with a stalemate, and as long as I'm firm enough, the result can change," said Fan after the match.

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Though failing to overtake the top seed, the 27-year-old Lin has already claimed two gold medals at the championships this year, namely in the men's doubles and the mixed doubles.

Also on Saturday, Chen Xingtong/Qian Tianyi beat Kuai Man/Chen Yi 11-6, 10-12, 11-8, 8-11, 6-11, 11-7, and 11-7 to win the women's doubles title.