China's Fan Zhendong will become world number one following his victory in the ITTF Qatar Open ©ITTF

Hugo Calderano’s dazzling progress to the final of the International Table Tennis Federation’s World Tour Platinum event in Qatar was dimmed at the last as China’s top seed Fan Zhendong won the title without losing a game.

The 23-year-old Brazilian, seeded 13, had beaten world number one Timo Boll and China’s third seed Lin Gaoyuan, but he could not resist the talent and power of the world number two, who came through 13-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-7 at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena.

With the men’s world ranking list about to be issued for April 2018, this result means Fan will head the list for the first time in his career.

Liu Shiwen won the women’s singles title with an 8-10, 10-12, 11-9, 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 win over fellow Chinese player Wu Yang.

China's qualifier Liu Shiwen won the ITTF Qatar Open title in her seventh match in Doha ©ITTF
China's qualifier Liu Shiwen won the ITTF Qatar Open title in her seventh match in Doha ©ITTF

Liu, who was a qualifier here, commented: "I have played seven matches in order to win this tournament; I am very happy to win here."

Calderano made the best possible start as he established a 7-2 lead in the first game, but his opponent recovered to win it.

The Brazilian went 7-4 ahead in the second game but once gain Fan hauled back the initiative before winning the last two games with relative ease.

It was Fan Zhendong’s 10th ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles title from 15 final appearances so far and his first in Qatar.