Outstanding form maintained and a return to form, enabled Ma Long and Zhang Jike to prevail at the semi-final stage of the Men’s Singles event at the GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour Slovenian Open in Velenje on Sunday 29th January. Earlier in the day, compatriots Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen had booked their places in the final of the Women’s Singles event in a most impressive manner, between them, they had only conceded one game in their penultimate round duels.

Ma Long and Zhang Jike followed in a similar vein against their national team colleagues, Ma Lin and Xu Xin.

Success in Style
It was success for the respective top two seeded players and it was success in style.

In the first semi-final, Ma Long, recovered from an opening game deficit to beat Ma Lin, the no.5 seed, in five games (6-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-9, 11-6), before, in an even more devastating manner Zhang Jike overcame Xu Xin, the no.4 seed, without any of the games being decided by the minimum two point margin.

Imperious, Zhang Jike won 11-7, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6.

Avenged Shenzhen Reverse
Victory for Ma Long avenged the defeat he had suffered in their most recent meeting at international level; in June 2011, Ma Long had experienced a six games defeat in the Men’s Singles final at the Volkswagen China Open in Shenzhen.

However, prior to that reverse he had won their six most recent encounters and had not lost to Ma Lin since being beaten at the semi-final stage of the Men’s Singles event at the ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals in December 2007. 

The defeat of Ma Long in Shenzhen was his only reverse against Ma Lin in a period of four years in world ranking events.

Injection
Furthermore, the defeat in Shenzhen was somewhat pivotal; it gave Ma Long a serum that any player would want; since that loss, in Men’s Singles event in world ranking competitions, Ma Long has never been defeated, whilst the serum for Ma Lin is that which no player desires.

It is only in Hungary and Slovenia that Ma Lin has resumed normal service after having suffered a string of unexpected defeats in ITTF Pro Tour tournament in the latter months of 2011.

History
History pointed strongly in favour of Ma Long in the first semi-final; the bookmaker may have offered long odds for a Ma Lin win; however, in the second Men’s Singles semi-final it was even money.

Zhang Jike was the owner of the World Championships crown and the Men’s World Cup title but Xu Xin was the defending champion in Velenje and in the three previous meetings in world ranking events, Xu Xin held sway.

Previous Meetings
In December 2009 he won when the pair met at the East Asia Games and more pertinently one year ago, when they met at the semi-final stage of the Men’s Singles event at the Slovenian Open, Xu Xin also won.

However, at the Asian Cup in 2010, Zhang Jike had succeeded; at the GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF Pro Tour Slovenian Open, he levelled the score.

Appearances
It was for Zhang Jike his 12th appearance in a Tour Men’s Singles semi-final in 27 outings and his fifth win at the penultimate stage; for Ma Long in his 46th Tour tournament it was his 28th Men’s Singles semi-final and 19th success.

Source: http://www.ittf.com/_front_page/ittf_full_story1.asp?ID=26766&Competition_ID=2107&

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