by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Once again, as in February, colleague, Zhu Yuling occupies second spot but immediately below, there is a change; Singapore’s Feng Tianwei is now next in line followed by Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa, a reverse of the February listing.
Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching retains her no.5 spot, Germany’s Han Ying remains at no.6; China’s Chen Meng is next in the order of merit, she changes places with Japan’s Mima Ito. Also from Japan, Miu Hirano is once again listed at no.9 with Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem, China’s Wu Yang and Germany’s Shan Xiaona completing the top 12 names.
Previously Doo Hoi Kem was named at no.13, Shan Xiaona at no.22; for Wu Yang, at no.10, it is a return to the global order. Notably for Shan Xiaona it is the highest of her career; her prior best was no.14 in September 2015.
A best for Shan Xiaona; it is the same for Sweden’s Matilda Ekholm and the Czech Republic’s Hana Matelova, as it is for Hong Kong teenagers, Minnie Soo Wai Yam and Mak Tze Wing.
The previous highest listing for Matilda Ekholm, Minnie Soo Wai Yam and Mak Tze Wing was one month ago in February; for Hana Matelova it was no.79 in June 2016. Matilda Ekholm climbs from no.32 to no.20, Minnie Soo Wai Yam from no.55 to 43, Hana Matelova from no.86 to no.72; Mak Tze Wing from no.102 to no.87.
Major progress, it is the same for Poland’s Natalia Partyka and the Slovak Republic’s Barbora Balazova. Natalia Partyka climbs from no.78 to no.59, Barbora Balazova from no.77 to no.67.
Both move towards the highest position of their careers. Natalia Partyka was listed at no.48 in May 2010, Barbora Balazova at no.64 in November 2016.
Major advancement for names which appeared one month ago; for two pertinent names it is a return to the order of merit. China’s Wang Manyu apears at no.39, colleague Gu Yuting at no.50.
Meanwhile, Mima Ito followed by Miu Hirano continues to head the Under 21 Women’s and Under 18 Girls’ World Rankings; Doo Hoi Kem remains at no.3 on the former, as does Hina Hayata, also from Japan, on the latter.
Japanese names to the fore; on the Under 15 Girls’ World Rankings, it is the same. Miyu Nagasaki and Miyuu Kihara once again occupy the top two places, Crystal Wang of the United States continues in third place.
World Rankings: Wednesday 1st March 2017
World Rankings: Basic Description
World Rankings: Rating Points and Bonus Points Tables
World Rankings: Ranking Default Policy for No Show
World Rankings: Policy for Inclusion in 2017 ITTF Calendar