Ultimate showdowns rarely come better than this.

Having yielding the world No. 1 crown to Wang Chuqin after a sensational 142nd week at the summit, Fan Zhendong managed to wrest it right back after winning the men's singles title at World Table Tennis (WTT) Star Contender Ljubljana.

The face-off between the world's top two players aroused a great deal of public interest and it delivered. Fan, aiming to exact revenge after being dethroned, pinned his high-flying opponent on the forehand and emerged triumphant in the first game. Wang, who has been in top form in Slovenia, maintained his composure under immense pressure and came from behind to lead 2-1 after three games.

Fan showed his true mettle in games four and five, going for broke with lethal attacks from both sides of the table and secured two wins in a row. With his back against the wall, Wang, who had only lost one game before this final, kept the rallies short and sent the match into the decider with a series of big serves.

As fellow teammates, Fan and Wang are well acquainted with each other's playing style and techniques. However, when competing at a high level, winning requires not only strength, but also a strong mindset. It takes a big heart to come out on top, to stay composed and focused during crucial moments.

As the match wore on, and the situation became increasingly deadlocked, Wang's errors began to mount steadily. In sharp contrast, Fan rose to the occasion and put on a masterclass in controlling the tempo of the tie and closed the thriller out for a well-deserved 4-3 victory.

Fan had been world No. 2 going into the WTT tournament, but winning it in Ljubljana after an inconsistent season provided the points boost he needed to jump up to No. 1.

"Until the very last moment, no one will give up easily. That's the beauty of competitive sports," observed Fan. "Competition is harsh for everyone, but it also holds opportunities. After going through high-level competitions, one's skills, mindset and overall ability is greatly improved.

"Nowadays, the levels of male table tennis players around the world are getting closer and closer, with young and talented players emerging and advanced playing styles becoming more prevalent. The competition is also getting tougher and more intense.

"This is actually beneficial for us, as the more intense the competition, the greater the opportunity for everyone to push each other, grow and improve together."

Fan insisted that whether ranked No. 1 or not, anyone can lose a game, and what truly matters for top players is to have a clear head and a proactive attitude towards self-improvement.

"Winning can sometimes mask underlying issues, but losing can magnify them," said Fan. "It's during these times that you're truly tested on whether you can identify the most pressing problem and address it head-on. This is critical not just for an athlete's career, but also for their future in life."