Fan Zhendong helps Saarbrücken win treble with German title triumph

Fan Zhendong capped off his first season in Germany in perfect fashion on Sunday, leading Saarbrücken-Tischtennis to the Table Tennis Bundesliga (TTBL) championship and completing a historic treble for the club.

The Chinese Olympic champion won both of his singles matches as Saarbrücken defeated Borussia Düsseldorf 3-1 in the TTBL Final4 championship match in Frankfurt, securing the club's first-ever treble after earlier lifting the German Cup and Champions League trophies this season.

Playing his final match before joining Düsseldorf next season, Fan once again proved why his arrival in Germany generated unprecedented attention for the league. The 29-year-old opened the final with a victory over Germany international Dang Qiu before returning to seal the title with a hard-fought five-set win against American Kanak Jha.

The result delivered Saarbrücken its second German championship and completed one of the most successful campaigns in club history. Fan's contribution was central throughout the season, but he was quick to credit the collective effort after the victory.

"I'm very happy that I was able to help the team with two wins," Fan said. "Even when I wasn't able to perform at my best at times during the season, the team was there to step up. That shows what a strong team we are."

Saarbrücken's triumph was far from a one-man show. After Kanak Jha leveled the score by defeating Darko Jorgic, Germany's Patrick Franziska delivered a crucial 3-1 victory over Sweden's Anton Källberg to restore his side's advantage and put the title within reach.

The final attracted a packed crowd at Frankfurt's Süwag Energie ARENA, where thousands of spectators created a vibrant atmosphere throughout the weekend. Fan remained the center of attention, with chants of his name echoing around the venue as he closed out the decisive match.

The inaugural Final4 format, which brought the semifinals and final together in a single weekend, proved a major success for the Bundesliga. Around 5,600 fans attended the event, while international interest continued to grow, particularly in China, where TTBL matches are regularly broadcast.

For Fan, the championship marked the completion of every major objective set when he arrived in Germany last summer. For Saarbrücken, it represented a landmark achievement that may stand as the defining point in the club's history.