Until recently, it was Dauud Cheaib's world. The second-ranked player in Lebanon and #470 in the world, Cheaib (pictured, left) has been on a tear at Germany's Challenger Series. Calling itself "the springboard to fame for the future stars of professional table tennis," the Challenger Series offers two tournaments every week in the quaint southern German town of Biberach. Entering this week's first contest, Dauud Cheaib had won first place in six of the previous ten tournaments, never failing to make the final four. His dominant run, however, could not last forever. In the semifinals, Cheaib faced 20-year-old Kanak Jha of the USA (pictured, center), the world #28 making his Challenger Series debut. Jha made quick work of Cheaib in the semis, dethroning the champ 3-0 for a shot at the title. In the final, Jha met Sweden's 23-year-old Simon Berglund (pictured, right), #530 in the world. Jha dominated Berglund, 3-0, to claim the first Challenger Series title of February. While posting a perfect 7-0 match record, Jha further demonstrated his dominance with a 21-6 record in games. This stellar record nearly invites comparisons to Berglund's legendary countryman Jan-Ove Waldner, who won his second World Championship in men's singles in 1997 without dropping a game. While any comparison to Waldner is likely hyperbole, it is a promising sign for the young Jha to be labeled "Waldnerian," just as a basketball player might relish being described as "Jordanesque." In the meantime, Dauud Cheaib must adjust to the new reality. The Challenger Series is now Kanak Jha's world, a status he must now fight to uphold twice weekly.

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