20 Dec 2016

Fan Zhendong established his authority on proceedings in the penultimate round of the Chinese Men’s Super League by remaining unbeaten as Bayi overcame Anhui on Tuesday 20th December.

However, the player of the round was Ren Hao.

by Henry Chen

Impressively, Fan Zhendong beat both Wong Chun Ting (11-6, 13-11, 11-3) and Yu Ziyang (11-4, 11-7, 11-9) to prove the backbone of a three-one success.

The one further win for Bayi was recorded in the doubles when Xu Chenhao and Zhou Yu overcame Wong Chun Ting and Zhou Qihao (13-11, 6-11, 11-9); the one success for Anhui came courtesy of Yu Ziyang. In the opening match of the fixture, he overcame Zhao Zhaoyan (11-7, 11-5, 13-11).

Wins as status suggested for Fan Zhendong; it was very different for Ren Hao. He beat both Shang Kun (11-6, 12-10, 11-8) and Xu Xin (11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 11-0) as Shenzhen overcame Shanghai by three matches to two. The wins paved the way for Cui Qinglei to be the hero; in the vital fifth match of the fixture, he overcame Zhao Zhihao (6-11, 11-9, 11-7).

Somewhat in vain, the wins for Shanghai were recorded in the opening match of the fixture when Xu Xin overcame Liu Jikang (11-7, 11-6, 11-9) and in the doubles when Shang Kun and Zhao Zihao defeated Liu Jikang and Cui Qinglei (11-5, 11-3).

A close three-two win for Shenzhen; it was the same for Tianjin against Bazhou and for Jiangsu in opposition to Sichuan.

Man of the moment for Tianjin was Liu Dingshuo, the 2015 World Junior champion.

Impressively, he beat Fan Shengpeng (11-4, 11-7, 11-3) and Liang Jinkun (8-11, 11-5, 13-11, 12-10); results that set the scene for Ma Te. Focused, he duly beat Chen Jingqi (7-11, 11-9, 11-1) to seal the victory. The wins for Bazhou were secured by Liang Jinkun against Fang Yinchi (11-1, 11-5, 11-3) and in the doubles when Cheng Jingqi and Fan Shengpeng accounted for Fang Yinchi and Xu Xinhang (11-7, 11-4).

Similarly, Zhu Linfeng was the man in form for Sichuan. He beat Chiang Chih-Yuan (9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 7-11, 7-4) and Zheng Peifeng (11-6, 14-12, 8-11, 8-11, 7-4). Yan Sheng sealed the victory by overcoming Kong Lingxuan (12-14, 11-8, 7-2). The two successes for Jiangsu were recorded by Zheng Peifeng against Xu Ruifeng (7-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-5, 7-3) and in the doubles when Cai Wei and Kong Lingxuan overcame Xu Ruifeng and Yan Sheng (12-10, 8-11, 8-6).

Close calls for Shenzhen, Sichuan and Tianjin; not for Shandong Wiqiao; they beat Shandong Luneng by three matches to nil.

Lin Gaoyuan overcame Fang Bo (11-6, 11-7, 11-7), before Ma Long accounted for Zhang Yudong (11-2, 11-9, 11-4) and Lin Gaoyuan joined forces with Xue Fei to secure the doubles at the expense of Lin Chen and Zhang Zhao (11-6, 2-11, 11-9).

One more round remains; the top four teams qualify for the Play-Off fixtures scheduled for Thursday 29th to Saturday 31st December.

Tuesday 20th December: Latest Super League Results

Tuesday 20th December: Latest Super League Team Positions

Tuesday 20th December: Latest Super League Averages

China News China Table Tennis Super League ma long Fan Zhendong xu xin Liang Jingkun Ren Hao