27 Nov 2016

Harbouring no great thoughts of the title prior to the start of competition, even though possessing Ding Ning, the reigning Olympic and World champion in their line-up, Beijing is very much the team exceeding expectations in the 2016 Chinese Women’s Super League.

Success on Sunday 27th November means they now top the table alongside Shandong Luneng, Anxin and Shandong Qilu.

by Henry Chen 

Furthermore the success in the 12th round of proceedings was secured against title rivals Shandong Qilu and in a most impressive manner; a three-nil success was the order of the day.

Ding Ning beat Wu Yang (11-2, 14-12, 8-11, 11-5), before Li Jiayuan accounted for Chen Xingtong (11-9, 11-7, 11-8) and a doubles success recorded by Ding Ning and Sheng Dandan concluded matters. They overcame Chen Xingtong and Wen Jia in straight games (11-3, 11-5).

Success for Beijing; there were also successes for Anxin and Shandong Luneng, results which keep their title aspirations alive.

Wins from Zhu Yuling against Mu Jingyu (8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-5) and in opposition to Che Xiaoxi (6-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 7-4) proved the backbone of the three-one success for Shandong Luneng in opposition to Shanxi. Li Xiaodan added the one further win by beating Che Xiaoxi in the second match of the fixture (11-8, 11-5, 11-8); the one success for Shanxi being recorded in the doubles when Gu Ruchen and Zheng Shichang accounted for Gu Yuting and Li Xiaodan (3-11, 11-8, 10-8).

No deciding match needed to determine the outcome; that was not the situation for Anxin in opposition to Bayi; a full distance contest emanated with Mu Zi the player to pose the visitors problems.

She beat Lin Gaoyang (11-8, 9-11, 5-11, 11-8, 7-4) and most pertinently Liu Shiwen (11-9, 11-9, 11-7) but those were to prove the only wins for Bayi. Liu Shiwen overcame Sun Mingyang (14-12, 11-8, 11-6) in the opening match of the fixture, before Liu Gaoyang and Feng Yalan accounted for Liu Xin and Sun Mingyang to secure the doubles (11-9, 12-10). Matters concluded with Feng Yalan overpowering the defensive skills of Hu Limei in the fifth and deciding match of the fixture (11-9, 11-6) to secure the victory.

A hard fought contest, in the two remaining fixtures 12th round Women’s Team fixtures, the outcomes were more decisive.

Jilin beat Sichuan by three matches to nil; the same margin of victory as was recorded by Shenzhen in opposition to Ordos.

Wang Manyu gave Jilin the perfect start against Sichuan by overcoming Li Xiang (12-10, 11-1, 11-7), before Suh Hyowon accounted for Guo Yan (11-7, 6-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6). A doubles recorded by Chen Ke and Yuan Xuejiao against Guo Lin and Yang Yuxin (11-2, 9-11, 7-1) terminated matters.

Meanwhile, for Shenzhen it was He Zhuojia who set the bandwagon in motion; she overcame Li Jiayi (11-5, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5), prior to Cheng Meng defeating Feng Tianwei (12-10, 9-11, 9-11, 11-8, 7-4) and a doubles win sealing the victory. Qian Tianyi and Sun Yingsha accounted for Zhang Qiang and Zhu Zhaohui (14-12, 10-12, 10-8).

Shandong Luneng, Beijing, Anxin and Shandong Qili share top spot (19 points); next on the list is Bayi (19 points) followed by Shenzhen (18 points) and Jilin (17 points). Shanxi and Ordos share eight place (15 points) with Sichuan (12 points) completing the table.

Zhu Yuling (19:1) leads the Women’s Division averages with Liu Shiwen (16:5), Wu Yang 14:4) and Ding Ning (13:6) completing the leading names.

China News China Table Tennis Super League Ding Ning Chen Meng liu shiwen Zhu Yuling 2016 Chinese Super League