by Wade Townsend

Dramatic defence: Ma Long retained his world title crown in Düsseldorf in a seven game thriller against Fan Zhendong. The crowd was kept on the edge of their seats as the deciding game was pushed all the way to 10-10. Ma took the match and top place on the podium, but Fan Zhendong can be proud that he put on one of the best table tennis matches the world has seen.

“This is the definitely the craziest match I have ever played and ever will play. I think I have never played like this before.” Ma Long

If first you don’t succeed…  Ding Ning had made four previous attempts at wining the final of the Women’s Doubles at a World Championships. Each and every time she had come out with the silver medal. Today in Düsseldorf, on her fifth attempt, she struck gold with Liu Shiwen. Now her Women’s Singles medal won’t be so lonely.

Checkout some of the best pics from the day’s play: