by Henry Chen
Ma Long gave Shandong Weiqiao the perfect start by beating Xu Chenhao (12-10, 11-6, 11-7), before Fan Zhendong accounted for Yan An (7-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7) to level matters.
Shandong Weiqiao went ahead once again with Lin Gaoyuan and Xue Fei combining to record a doubles success against Xu Chenhao and Zhou Yu (11-8, 11-8); advantage to the home team, next came the most anticipated match in the evening, Ma Long versus Fan Zhendong.
The younger player, Fan Zhendong, was quick to seize control, he captured the first game before Ma Long responded to win the next two; the fourth game went to Fan Zhendong, a decider beckoned.
Tension, neither player willing to retreat, Ma Long established a 6-3 lead; Fan Zhendong went ahead 7-6, Ma Long levelled but he was to win only one more point. Fan Zhendong prevailed (11-3, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 10-8).
Hope for Bayi but it was not to be; Lin Gaoyuan overcame Zhou Yu (11-4, 12-10) to seal a Shandong Weiqiao victory.
Success for Shandong Weiqiao, in the remaining fixtures, there were successes for Bazhou, Shanghai, Anhui and Shandong Luneng.
Bazhou with Fan Shengpeng, Liang Jinkun, Cheng Jingqi and Zhai Chao on duty recorded a three-one win against the Sichuan trio formed by Xu Ruifeng, Lai Jiaxin and Zhu Linfeng.
Similarly, Anhui represented by Yu Ziyang, Zhou Qihao and Wong Chun Ting overcame the Jiangsu formation of Chuang Chih-Yuan, Zheng Peifeng, Kong Lingxuan and Cai Wei by a similar margin, as did Shandong Luneng when opposing Shenzhen.
Shandong Luneng fielded Fang Bo, Hao Shuai and Zhang Chao; for Shenzhen the line-up was Ren Hao, Joo Saehyuk and Cui Qinglei.
Impressive wins, in the one remaining fixture, the margin of victory was even more impressive. Shanghai with by Xu Xin, Shang Kun and Jeoung Youngsik in no mood for charity beat the Tianjin outfit of Ma Te, Yu Xinhang and Wei Shihao by three matches to nil.
Bazhou and Shanghai remain locked in third place behind Shandong Weiqiao and Bayi with Shandong Luneng in fifth spot. Next in line is Shenzhen who share sixth spot with Jiangsu; Anhui and Tianjin are level in eight place with Sichuan being in tenth position.
Saturday 12th November: Latest Super League Results