The Olympic champion and at the same time Zhejiang's team leader was first in the arena against the younger player of Bazhou Cui Qinglei. In the first set, the Bazhou player surprisingly performed very well and was able to overcome Ma Lin in 11-9. In the second set, Cui Qinglei continued to be impressive but this time, Ma Lin survived the challenge in 13-11.
After the challenging set, momentum was now in Zhejiang's side as Ma Lin controlled the table with 11-4. Cui Qinglei returned into the fourth set still fighting but his efforts were not enough to defeat Ma Lin. The veteran offered the first score for Zhejiang with 11-9.
For the second match, Bazhou's star player Xu Xin had his encounter against Hao Shuai of Zhejiang. In the first set, Hao Shuai scored 11-9 and then Xu Xin for the second set with 11-7. After which, Xu Xin maintained his control and was able to post a 2-1 advantage with 11-8. Hao Shuai returned into the fourth set with great control and established a confident lead with 6-1. At this point Xu Xin wasn't able to recover and eventually lost in 4-11.
After an impressive set for Hao Shuai who leveled in 2-2, Xu Xin returned into the fifth and deciding game with a vengeance. Xu Xin nailed an impressive 5-1 lead. Hao Shuai managed to show some signs or resistance but Xu Xin was more in control and scored the first point for Bazhou with 11-7.
The doubles match was a tie breaker for both teams in 1-1. After defeat in the previous leg, Zhejiang's Hao Shuai and Xu Hui nailed a commanding performance against Cheng Jingqi and Zhai Chao. The Zhejiang pair crushed their opponents in 11-8, 11-7, and 11-6,
For the fourth match, Ma Lin faced Xu Xin. Ma Lin immediately gained momentum at the start with a commanding lead. Xu Xin managed to close the gap but failed after Ma Lin earned the first set with 11-7. Zhejiang's star player continued to control the game in 6-3. At this point, Xu Xin successfully caught up and leveled in 7-7, then in 8-8. Ater the tie, Xu Xin got his rhythm and overtook to 11-8.
In the third set, Xu Xin maintained his control and his lead in 5-3 then increased to 7-3. Eventually the round belonged to Xu Xin with an impressive 11-5. After a powerful set for Xu Xin, Ma Lin fought back and both paddlers were tied in 6-6, then in 7-7. Clearly, Ma Lin was very determined to end the race so he showed great resistance against Xu Xin and leveled in 10-10. However, Xu Xin was the better player for tonight and defeated Ma Lin in 12-10. Xu Xin successfully offered the second point for Bazhou.
After the tie in 2-2, Bazhou's Cheng Jingqi and Zhejiang's Xu Hui now held the responsibility of completing the victory for their respective teams. As expected, both paddlers started really strong but it was Xu Hui who gained the first advantage with 11-9. In the second set, Cheng Jingqi quickly established his lead in 5-2 then maintained in 9-7. However, Xu Hui fought back and overtook to 10-9. The Bazhou player leveled in 10-10. After one more tie in 11-11, Cheng Jingqi successfully scored his first point with 13-11.
Xu Hui returned into the third set much more ppwerful and led in an impressive 4-0, 7-2, then in 9-3. Eventually, Xu Hui nailed the round with 11-5, leading in 2-1. Now that Xu Hui has already the advantage, he continued to fight strong and overtook in 5-4. However,Cheng Jingqi was still very much into the game and got back the lead in 9-6. As to make things more interesting, Cheng Jingqi successfully leveled in 2-2 with 11-7.
Both paddlers maintained their strength as they entered into the ultimate deciding game this season with a 5-4 score in favor to Xu Hui. As the game progressed, Cheng Jingqi somehow lost his stability while Xu Hui maintained his lead in 8-5. Eventually, Xu Hui successfully completed the much needed points for Zhejiang's victory.
After five sets in the fifth match, Zhejiang finally achieved the long awaited championship title for the Chinese Super League. Congratulations Zhejiang!
