With the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games around the corner, one Shanghai native will have his name appear more and more in the national headlines - top paddler Wang Liqin, the most popular and controversial table tennis player in China.

Wang Liqin As a three-time world champion and former world No 1, Wang is no doubt one of the best paddlers in the world. His gentle manners, stylish looks, introverted personality and a love affair with a movie star have brought him legions of ping-pong fans and media coverage all over Asia.

But just one year before the home Games, the 29-year-old veteran has endured the worst season of his career. Despite claiming the men's singles title at the 2007 World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, Wang has been piling up the losses. This year, he played in 10 ITTF Pro Tour tournaments, the busiest season of his career, but failed to claim a single title.

At last week's year-end International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Pro Tour Grand Finals in Beijing, Wang lost to World Cup champion Wang Hao in the singles semifinal, his sixth loss to Wang Hao in as many months. Wang Liqin's shaky performance raised questions about his chances of representing China at next year's Games among fans and local media.

Speculation is mounting about his technique, his mental state and even his relationship status, as one question in particular lingers: Can Wang Liqin come back in 2008?

Turning point

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