MUSCAT: The recently concluded WTT Contender Muscat 2023 event made significant changes in the ITTF Table Tennis World Rankings for week No 42. Brazil's Hugo Calderano, who was crowned as men's champion, moved to the top four after a 10-week stint in fifth position.
The champion of WTT Contender Muscat managed to earn 400 crucial world ranking points which was enough to overtake the fourth position from Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto in the 42nd week standings list. Harimoto exited in the quarterfinals after a 3-2 loss against Sweden's Anton Kallberg.
Calderano showed top performance in the mega TT event at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex after he defeated England's Liam Pitchford 4-3 in a thriller. It was the third title for the Brazilian after his two men’s singles titles previously in this year at WTT Series.
In women's section, Japan's Hina Hayata climbed two positions up to reach World No 6 spot after she earned 400 world ranking points. Hayata emerged women's champion after she outclassed her opponent Adryana Diaz 4-0 in final in Muscat. Hayata was the top-seeding entry in the women’s singles draw. The Japanese paddler managed to leapfrog Mima Ito and Qian Tianyi to reach top six rank.
Meanwhile, women's runner-up Adriana Diaz recorded her best to be among world top 10 for the first time since August 2022. Despite her defeat in the final against Hina Hayata 4-0, the Puerto Rico star moved from No 12 to 10th position and she left Muscat with her head held high after becoming the first player from the Americas to reach a women’s singles final in the WTT Series.
Pitchford, who finished men's runner-up, recorded his best position since May. The Englishman was promoted to World No 25 and moved up by eight positions. This major step meant that he registered 280 world points. Pitchford showed an outstanding performance as he stunned World No 8 Lin Yun-Ju and two-time WTT Series event winner Anton Kallberg on his way to the final. He was very close to earn the title as he registered strong start before his opponent Calderano edged him 4-3.
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