The 24-year-old Ma held top spot in the world rankings for the whole of 2010 and from October 2011 to May 2012, and he has leapfrogged compatriot Xu Xin back to the top of the pile.

Reigning world and Olympic champion Zhang Jike stays in third place as fellow Chinese player Yan An makes the greatest progress up the rankings, moving up from number 66 to number 21 after reaching the final of the Qatar Open, only to be narrowly defeated by Ma.

In the women's, world champion Ding Ning of China keeps hold of the number one spot for the 17th month in succession, after first occupying the position in November 2011.

China's Ding Ning retains her number one spot in the ITTF World Rankings for the 17th month in succession

Chinese team-mates Liu Shiwen and Li retain second and third place respectively, as Singaporean Feng Tianwei, who defeated Ding in the semi-finals of the Kuwait Open last month, rises from sixth place to fourth.

World Junior Champion, 18-year-old Zhu Yu Ling,  produced impressive performances at both Kuwait and Qatar including a win over compatriot Li Xiaoxia, which sees her move up ten places from 18th to 8th.

The full ITTF World Rankings can be found here.

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