Fan Zhendong wins ITTF Men's World Cup

World number one Fan Zhendong has won the ITTF Men's World Cup for the second time after being Timo Boll 4–1 in Paris.

The Chinese 21-year-old added to his 2016 triumph with a commanding win over his German rival.

Fan sprinted into a 3–0 lead and was looking comfortable for a straight-games victory before European champion Boll, 16 years Fan's senior, grabbed a close fourth game.

The tide appeared to have turned in the German's favour at 4–1 up in the fifth before Fan rolled off seven straight points to re-take the lead, which he never gave back.

Unbeaten record

Fan's win extended his career record against Boll, a two-time World Cup champion, to four wins and no defeats.

Both players earlier recorded semi-final wins over fellow countrymen; Boll saw off third seed and defending champion Dimitrij Ovtcharov while Fan beat Lin Gaoyuan.

Lin clinched bronze in the third-place match with a five-game victory over Ovtcharov.

Fan's win is the latest in a successful year for the youngster, who also beat Lin in the Asian Games final last month.

The tournament normally features the reigning world champion, as well as 19 other players who qualify through performances in the continental cups.

However, current world and Olympic champion Ma Long, who hasn't played since losing in the Bulgarian Open quarter-finals in August, declined a spot this year.

Just two World Tour events remain before the World Tour Grand Finals in South Korea in December.