(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT)
USA’s Kanak Jha jumped 10 spots to No. 21 on the strength of his performance last week in Yokohama. Jha was the only major mover in the Top 25. The other headline is the tightening between the first and second positions – as Lin Shidong and Wang Chuqin are now only 50 points apart (8975 and 8925 respectively).
After Lin Shidong and Wang Chuqin, it is Harimoto, Calderano, and Liang Jingkun. Lebrun, Moregard, Peng, Jorgic, and Duda round out the Top 10. More changes are coming, as the Europe Smash progresses Shidong, Qiu, Gauzy, Jorgic, Calderano, and Harimoto are all still in contention with the potential for significant gains in the Rankings.
In Women’s Singles there very few changes with the Top 10 unchanged: Yingsha, Manyu, Xingtong, Kuai, and Yidi. Sixth now goes to Miwa Harimoto of Japan, followed by former Chinese team member Zhu Yuling who plays for Macao, then Mima Ito, Satsuki Odo, and Chen Yi round out the Top 10.
Bernadette Szocs of Romania is the top European player in the Rankings at No. 16. Bruna Takahashi of Brazil is No. 19. Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz is No. 21. USA’s Lily Zhang is up four spots at No. 34.
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