by Henry Chen
Following break from competition, the 2016 Chinese Super League witnesses a successful performance by the Bazhou Team in the 15th round on Tuesday 13th December.
As hosts, Liang Jingkun and company overcame the Shandong Luneng in five matches.
Bazhou had a good start in the round thanks to victories from Wang Chuqin and Liang Jingkun. Both survived the challenge from Luneng’s Fang Bo (11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 5-11, 7-5) and Zhang Chao (8-11, 11-8, 11-3, 5-11, 7-5) respectively.
Luneng broke the momentum of their opponents after their doubles success, Zhang Chao and Hao Shuai sealed the their match in three games (5-11, 11-6, 7-0).
Fang Bo then returned into the arena for the fourth match against Liang Jingkun. With a big responsibility, Fang Bo secured a victory. He won in five games (5-11, 11-9, 8-11, 12-10, 7-5). a decider then took place between Fan Shengpeng and Hao Shuai.
In two games, Fan Shengpeng emerged victorious (13-11, 11-6).
Ma Long, became the Seamaster Qatar 2016 ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles last weekend. Just days after his success, he was back in action. He won the first match for Shandong Weiqiao against Shanghai by beating Shang Kun (11-1, 11-5, 17-19, 11-6).
In the next contest Xu Xin needed the five games to beat Yan An (11-6, 13-11, 5-11, 9-11, 16-14). Weiqiao lost another point in the doubles. Lin Gaoyuan and Xue Fei lost to Shang Kun and Zhao Zihao.
The fourth match took place with Ma Long fighting against Xu Xin. In five games, Ma Long was defeated (13-11, 8-11, 11-9, 5-11, 7-5). Ma Long’s defeat led to the first ever loss for Shandong Weiqiao this season.
The runner up last weekend in Qatar, Fan Zhendong did not compete in the 15th round for Bayi against Tianjin. Xu Chenhao, Zhou Yu and Zhou Kai formed the tea. Despite the absence of Fan, Bayi still recorded an impressive success.
Xu Chenhao beat Ma Te (11-6, 11-5, 11-8). Zhou Yu followed by overcoming Liu Dingshuo (11-2, 12-10, 11-8), before the partnership of Zhou Kai and Xu Chenhao sealed the victory.
Sichuan, unfortunately, still without a win to their name, failed to make the best use of home advantage. They were swept aside by Anhui. Zhou Qihao beat Zhu Linfeng for the opener. Yu Ziyang overcame Lai Jiaxin, before Zhou Qihao and Wong Chun Ting secured the doubles.
Jiangsu completed the list of victorious teams in the round. They survived the challenge from visitors, Shenzhen. Chuang Chih-Yuan might have lost to the veteran from Korea Republic, Joo Saehyuk in the fourth match, but he was still able to contribute a point. He won the opener against Cui Qinglei.
Jiangsu’s Zheng Peifeng won the second match against Joo Saehyuk. However, the player who secured the victory for Jiangsu was Kong Lingxuan. He overcame Liu Jikang in (11-9, 7-11, 8-6).