by Simon Daish

The German star won’t be participating in Shenzhen as he is still not 100% fit and will take the time to rest instead.

Heading into 2018 off the back of one of the best years of his career to date in 2017, but this is the latest injury blow in what has been a difficult start to the year so far for Dimitrij Ovtcharov.

Competing in the group stage of the 2018 ITTF Team World Cup in February, Ovtcharov played no further part in the competition due to fitness concerns and consequently was forced to withdraw from both the Seamaster 2018 Platinum Qatar Open and Seamaster 2018 Platinum German Open.

More recently Ovtcharov’s play at the Liebherr 2018 World Team Championships was hindered due to fitness issues but he still received a runner up medal with Team Germany finishing second in the Men’s Championship Division.