LIU Shiwen has regained the top spot on the ITTF World Rankings after her victories at the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Polish Open and ITTF Women’s World Cup in October.
LIU’s 4th success in 4 attempts at the Women’s World Cup has not only put her name on par alongside the legendary ZHANG Yining but also helped put her back to the no. 1 spot in the world.
The 24 year-old Chinese shared “I’m happy to be back on the number spot. I certainly hope to maintain the current good form I am in now and continue working hard to achieve more!”
LIU has replaced her compatriot 2015 World Champion DING Ning who had overtaken her since October to occupy the top position for a 23rd time. Dislodged from her no. 1 spot DING now occupies the third spot on the ranking which is her lowest position in four years the last time she was third in the World was in September 2011.
Despite her quarterfinal defeat to Netherland’s LI Jiao at the Women’s World Cup 20 year-old ZHU Yuling has reached her career’s highest advancing to second in the world with the help of her success in the doubles event at the Polish Open.
Other star players at the ITTF Women’s World Cup earlier last weekend in Sendai Japan also saw ascending of their world rankings in November. Surprise semifinalist after upsetting 2 top 10 players in a row Germany’s Petrissa Solja saw meteoric climb from no. 26 to no. 14 to reach her career best. Meanwhile Egypt’s Dina MESHREF climbed to no. 100 after becoming the first African player to ever qualify for the main draw of the Women’s World Cup.
Meanwhile 2015 World Champion and Men’s World Cup Champion MA Long continues to dominate the Men’s World Ranking for the 39th time in his career. 18 year old FAN Zhendong overtakes 2015 Mixed Double World Champion XU Xin to finish second in the world after claiming victory at the Polish Open and taking the 2nd place on his Men’s World Cup debut in Halmstad.
Runner-up at the Polish Open Austria’s Stefan FEGERL also saw a major jump from no. 42 to no.23 after surprising reigning Olympics Champion ZHANG Jike in the semifinals to prevent an all-Chinese Final.
