(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT)
When you look at the short list of Men’s and Women’s rankings on the WTT website that show only the Top 5 Men and the Top 5 Women, every player listed is Chinese except for Hina Hayata of Japan (who is No. 5 on the Women’s list). Chinese dominance is certainly on display early in this Olympic year as it is clear they will charge into Paris as clear favorites.
In Men’s Singles, France is making its own charge. Felix Lebrun is up two slots this week to No. 6 in the World Rankings. The younger Lebrun brother (at age 17) is now the highest ranked non-Chinese player in the World. France’s Alexis Lebrun is No. 22, and Simon Gauzy at No. 30 and both Rolland and Akkuza are in the Top 100, so they will be strong contenders for a medal as Olympic hosts this Summer.
The top five are unchanged with Zhendong, Chuqin, Ma Long, Jiangkun, and Gaoyuan filling those spaces in that order. The point difference between Zhendong and Chuqin is 735 with Zhendong creating a little space and becoming more secure and No. 1. The closest gap that could challenge the Top 5 is Felix Lebrun who is only 165 points below Gaoyuan – and with 400 points at stake in many WTT events, that jump is potentially achievable in one week.
After Felix, it is Calderano, Lin Yun-Ju, Harimoto, and Lin Shidong rounding out the Top 10. Germany holds places 11 and 12, with Qui then Ovtcharov. Aruna is at No. 13 followed by Woojin, Jorgic, Moregard, Kallberg, Jonghoon, Freitas, and Assar.
In Women’s Singles, it is Yingsha, Yidi, Meng, Manyu as China holds places 1 through 4. Hina Hayata of Japan is No. 5. The rest of the top 10 is Xingtong, Tianyi, Shin Yubin of Korea, Ying Han of Germany, and Mima Ito of Japan. Adriana Diaz of Puerto Rico is No. 12, and our top Americans are Amy Wang at No. 35 and Lily Zhang at No. 37.
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