Top stars for Asian TT

MUMBAI: After 17 years, India will be hosting the Asian table tennis championships in Lucknow from November 16-22.
Some of the biggest names in world TT including former women's world champion Guo Yue and three-time former men's world champion Wang Liqin, both from China, have confirmed their participation. While the men's field boasts of two players in the world top 10, the women's draw will see as many as seven top paddlers.
In all, 191 players from 25 countries have confirmed their participation for the event."For us, the Asian Championships are akin to the Worlds as all the top players are Asians. We are happy with the response and are hopeful of hosting a good tournament," said Dhanraj Choudhary, secretary, Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI).
Yue, ranked 2nd, will be given top billing in the women's section followed by compatriots Li Xiaoxia (World No. 3) and Liu Shiwen (4th).
The men's draw will also be led by the world's second-best player, Ma Long, of China. The 21-year-old bagged the world junior title in 2004 besides winning the season-ending ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals last year.