by Ian Marshall, Editor
There’s plenty of reasons follow the action but log these five in particular…….
Record in sight
…………Can Ma Long add to his list of achievements, can Vladimir Samsonov turn back the clock? The target for each is a record 28th ITTF World Tour men’s singles title.
Read: First final Vladimir Samsonov the nemesis; again for Ma Long the man to beat
Stronger than Olympic Games
…………The top 35 names on the current men’s world rankings, 46 out of the top 50 are present; the competition is intense, harder to win in Shenzhen than next year at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Read: The 100 club meets, titles exceed entries
Different partners
…………The mixed doubles has an added importance with the event making its debut in the Olympic Games next year in Tokyo but the pairs who competed in this year’s final at the Liebherr 2019 World Championships are not together.
Read: Tokyo in mind, the Shenzhen partnerships
Read: Leaving no stone unturned, new partner for Xu Xin
A question of form
…………Liu Shiwen dazzled at the Liebherr 2019 World Championships as she ended the reign of Ding Ning; for Japan it was predominantly defeat at Chinese hands. Can Liu Shiwen maintain outstanding form? Can Ding Ning restore pride? Can Japan respond?
Read: Can Liu Shiwen maintain form? Can Japan respond?
Read: Ding Ning, a chance to set the record straight
European challenge
…………Mattias Falck flew the flag for Europe at the Liebherr 2019 World Championships but in Shenzhen does not partner his erstwhile colleague, Kristian Karlsson. Past winners in China, Germany’s Timo Boll and Dimitrij Ovtcharov appear on the entry list. Can they repeat former glories?
