Ma Long to partner Boll for men's doubles at table tennis worlds

Chinese paddler Ma Long will partner with German Timo Boll in the men's doubles at this year's table tennis worlds in China's Suzhou, International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) said on its website Thursday.

During last year's table tennis worlds in Tokyo, ITTF allowed players from different associations to form doubles partnership from the 2015 tournament.

"This is unique, not only for German Table Tennis Association, but also the entire German sports family," said ITTF President Thomas Weikert.

"Such a partnership can stimulate the sport, and beyond the competition, it can strengthen relationship between two associations," he added.

Ma Long and Boll were no strangers to each other as they won 2013 China Open doubles after beating another combination from different associations, Yan An/Dimitrij Ovtcharov.

"It's an honor for me to partner Ma Long at the world championships," commented Boll.

Also on Thursday, the Chinese team released a player list for the 2015 tournament. Grand Slam winner Zhang Jike, Ma Long, Xu Xin, Fan Zhendong, Fang Bo and Yan An will feature in the men's singles, while the women's singles will see Li Xiaoxia, Ding Ning, Liu Shiwen, Zhu Yuling, Chen Meng and Mu Zi.

The 2015 World Table Tennis Championship is slated from April 26 to May 3.