Ma Long, the player who has occupied the no.1 position on the ITTF Men Ranking list throughout 2010, has withdrawn from the Harmony China Open.
The tournament starts in Suzhou on Wednesday 18th August and offers a prize fund of US$330,000, the highest prize fund of any open international tournament on this year ITTF Pro Tour.
Injury has forced the withdrawal of the player who currently occupies second place on the ITTF Pro Tour Men Singles Standings behind Germany
Timo Boll.
He will be replaced by Xu Xin, who like Ma Long was a member of the successful Chinese gold medal winning outfit at the Liebherr World Team Championships in Moscow earlier this year.
Xu Xin to Partner Ma Lin
Xu Xin will team with Ma Lin in the doubles to form a partnership that undoubtedly makes them the favourites for the top prize.
Both penholders, both outstanding over the table, near the net and with Ma Lin being right handed and Xu Xin left handed, one fact is sure.
They will be in total harmony.
