2019 ITTF World Championships: 'China derbies' on the way

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The draw result for the top 16 seeded players of men's and women's singles at the 2019 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships in Budapest was released on Saturday. And two "China derbies" are on the way in men's tournament.

Four of the five Chinese players in the men's singles, namely Fan Zhendong, Ma Long, Lin Gaoyuan and Liang Jingkun, are in the first half. Fan and Liang are both in Quarter One and likely to meet each other in the third round. Other players in this quarter include Dimitrij Ovtcharov from Germany and Koki Niwa from Japan.

Fan Zhendong of China serves during Men's Table Tennis Team Final against South Korea at the Asian Games, August 28, 2018. /VCG Photo

Ma and Lin are in Quarter Two. If things go well for them – meaning they both pass Round of 16 – Ma and Lin will compete against each other for the chance to play against Fan from Quarter One.

"It's already a success for me to stand here for this competition following the injury. I hope to perform well on this world stage," said Ma.

In contrast, Xu Xin from China is Quarter Four and he may take on Lee Sang-su from South Korea or Chuang Chih-yuan from Chinese Taipei. Team China's biggest challenger Tomokazu Harimoto from Japan is in Quarter Three and his biggest obstacle to the semi-finals will be Timo Ball from Germany.

Ding Ning of China competes in the Women's Singles semi-finals against He Zhuojia of China on Day 3 of the World Tour Grand Finals at Namdong Gymnasium, December 15, 2018. /VCG Photo

In women's singles, the five Chinese players are all in different quarters: Ding Ning in Quarter One, Liu Shiwen in Quarter Two, Wang Manyu and Sun Yingsha in Quarter Three and Chen Meng yin Quarter Four.

Ding's biggest rival in her quarter may be Miu Hirano from Japan but they will not meet each other until the quarter-finals. If Liu in Quarter Two wants to meet Ding in the semi-finals, she will need to defeat the winner from the following three: Manika Batra from India, Miyu Kato from Japan and Cheng I-ching from Chinese Taipei.

Liu Shiwen of China in action during the Seamaster 2019 ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar Open final held in the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena (ABHA Arena), March 31, 2019. /VCG Photo

"Actually I didn't make any special preparation for the World Championships, as I've tried my best in every match. Hopefully I can get a good result here," said Ding.

Before Wang and Sun put up a female China derby in Quarter Three, Wang will first challenge Japan's Mima Ito, who is aiming for three titles (women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles) at the event in the third round. Chen in Quarter Four will meet Kasumi Ishikawa from Japan.

(Top image: Ma Long of China competes during the men's singles final against Fan Zhendong of China on Day 4 of the 2018 ITTF World Tour China Open at Baoan gymnasium, June 3, 2018. /VCG Photo)