Ma Long of the Beijing team returns the ball to Fan Zhendong of the PLA team in the men's singles final match of the table tennis competition at the Chinese National Games on Wednesday in Tianjin. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

World No.1 paddler Ma Long survived the scares from world No.2 Fan Zhendong in the Chinese National Games men's singles final on Wednesday, the first athlete to do so in the National Games' 58-year history.

As a saying goes in Chinese table ­tennis, "Becoming an Olympic champion is easier than becoming a National Games champion," Ma's achievement ­illustrates his dominance in the sport.

Ma won the match 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-9 in one hour and 19 minutes. Four years ago in Liaoning Province, Ma, who was born in Liaoning but represents the Beijing team, edged out Fan 4:3 to claim gold at the National Games.

"It would have been disastrous if I got complacent," said Ma, also the reigning world champion. "Every time when I face Fan, I can't sleep well. My mind is fixed on how to play the best with the ball."

"If I still have the desire to win, I will be self-motivated," said Ma, who has been world No.1 since March 2015. "If I can't find that will, I'd think that is the time to call it quits."

Ma believed the final is all about ­resolution and tactics, which made the game less attractive compared to the fun at the world championships earlier this year.

But the National Games final also had a near-capacity attendance at the ­Wuqing Sports Center in northern Tianjin.

"There are more kinds of disciplines at the National Games," Ma said, referring to the table tennis events in Tianjin consisting of singles, doubles, mixed doubles and team contests. "It makes everyone tired but we still have to carry it out."

Ma, 28, even noted that the final has become a "mind game" between him and 22-year-old Fan, because the duo are too familiar as they often play with each other both in training sessions and ­official matches.

Fan, representing the PLA team, admitted he got mentally inconsistent since the fourth set, as he started to "think too much" at every move.

"I got hesitant on the moves," said Fan. "After the defeat in 2013, I worked on everything to improve myself, but ­today's defeat means I need to do more."

Both Ma and Fan were involved in a boycott in June, voicing their concern over the removal of national team head coach Liu Guoliang.

Earlier on Wednesday, Ma's Beijing teammate Ding Ning won the ­women's singles title by defeating national teammate Liu Shiwen of Guangdong. ­Sichuan's Zhu Yuling finished in third place.

Ding, who has already swept all ­major world titles, believes the National Games glory is not enough for her.

"I haven't won all the titles, which motivates me to do better," said Ding, referring to the Asian Games title that she hasn't won. "I hope I can make it next year."

The next Asian Games will be held in Jakarta next year. Ding did not participate in the singles competition at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.