It would require a huge upset to stop Zhang Yining winning another Olympic title in Beijing.
Zhang, 27, has barely put a foot wrong since Athens where she won both the singles and doubles golds. Born and raised in Beijing, she should be energised by the partisan crowd.
Her toughest opponent will be compatriot Guo Yue although natural ability and mental toughness put Zhang in a class of her own.
Number one in the world since January 2002, apart from a single month, she is the most successful player, male or female, in the history of the International Table Tennis Federation Pro Tour.
Zhang hit a bumpy patch in the first half of 2007 but she put the pieces back together in September and has won a record seven straight Pro Tour titles.
Zhang first played in the national team at the age of 11. She adds a little spice by taking to the table in different coloured socks out of superstition.
The combination of Zhang, Guo and veteran Wang Nan should be unbeatable in the team competition in Beijing and the top brass in the government will be cheering for Zhang with extra fervour.
A handful of athletes are invited to the five-yearly Communist Party Congress. Zhang was a delegate at the most recent Congress where she attributed her playing success, in part, to her political studies.
Despite missing 10 training days because of the Congress, Zhang won the next tournament, dropping only one game.
With no political interruptions in the run-up to Beijing, Zhang may be even more dominant on home soil.
