Fan Zhendong, number one man (Photo: Hussein Sayed)
Only four months into 2018 and the ITTF World Rankings have seen three different players ranked #1 on the men’s and the women going back and forth between teammates.
Olympic Youth Champion Fan Zhendong of China earned his first World #1 slot by winning the recently completed Qatar Open in Doha over Hugo Calderano (BRA). Prior world #1 for the men include Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov (Jan-Feb) and 36 -year-old Timo Boll (Mar).
What blades do they use?
- Fan Zhendong – STIGA Infinity VPS V Blade
- Timo Boll – Butterfly Timo bool ALC Blade
- Dimitrij Ovtcharov – DONIC Ovtcharov Original Senso Carbon Blade
Chen Meng confirmed in top spot (Photo: Rémy Gros)
Cheng Meng of China returned to the top spot on the women’s side, the position she held in January and February after switching places with teammate Zhu Yuling (March). Both players will need to keep an eye on Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa the recent winner of the German Open in Bremen currently ranked #3.
What blades do they use?
- Cheng Ming – STIGA Carbonado 45 Blade
- Zhu Yuling – STIGA Carbonado 45 Blade
- Kasumi Ishikawa – Nittaku Kasumi Special Blade
