by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
It is for both players, progress from their previous highest listing to a new horizon; notably Chen Meng also occupied the fourth spot in March, April and May 2014.
Pertinently, colleague Ding Ning remains at the top of the list for the 11th consecutive month and the 49th time in her career. However, for Zhu Yuling and Liu Shiwen it is a drop one place. Zhu Yuling is now at no.3, Liu Shiwen at no.4.
Changes but not amongst the other leading names; Japan’s Miu Hirano remains at no.5 followed, as the previous month, by Singapore’s Feng Tianwei and Kasumi Ishikawa, also from Japan. Next in line at no.8 is Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching with Germany’s Han Ying, China’s Sun Yingsha pursued by the Japanese duo of Mima Ito and Hitomi Sato completing the top 12 names.
New heights for Chen Meng and Wang Manyu; similarly, in the top one hundred names on the Women’s World Rankings there are career highs and major progress for Japan’s Maki Shiomi and Saki Shibata. Maki Shiomi moves from a previous best of no.46 to no.34; Saki Shibata from no.53 to no.38. The prior highest listing for Saki Shibata was no.49 earlier this year in April.
Also, there is notable progress for China’s Chen Xingtong, she climbs from no.52 to no.40. Similarly, Lily Zhang of the United States advances from no.83 to no.73. Both approach the highest rankings of their careers; three months ago in April, Chen Xingtong was named at no.45, just over three years ago in May 2014, Lily Zhang rose to no.67.
Progress and there are worthy names who return to the order of merit. Both from China, Gu Yuting appears at no.43, Zhang Qiang at no.68; the previous best for Gu Yuting was no.32 in January 2014, for Zhang Qiang, no.64 in May 2015.
Changes but not at the top of the age group lists; the Under 21 Women’s World Rankings and Under 18 Girls’ World Rankings witness once again the same three names on both listings. Miu Hirano retains top spot followed by Sun Yingsha and Mima Ito.
Likewise, it is the same as in July on the Under 15 Girls’ World Rankings with Japan to the fore. Miyuu Kihara and Miyu Nagasaki continue to head the list; Amy Wang of the United States retains third place.
World Rankings: Wednesday 2nd August 2017
World Rankings: Policy for Inclusion in 2017 ITTF Calendar
World Rankings: Basic Description
World Rankings: Rating Points and Bonus Points Tables
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