The 2019 World Championships silver medallists Romania’s Ovidiu IONESCU and Spain’s Alvaro ROBLES have advanced to the top eight Men’s Doubles Event in Doha, securing their place after defeating the No.4 seeds, Japan’s Tomokazu HARIMOTO and Sora MATSUSHIMA. Ranked at the position no. 173 in the World, the Romanian-Spanish pairings rose to the occasion in this round of 16 battle, showing great spirit and consistently delivering winning shots. After dropping the first game, IONESCU and ROBLES bounced back to take the second 14-12 and maintained their level throughout. With strategically placed balls setting up powerful finishing shots, they leveled the score again at 2-2. In the deciding game, they executed their best tactics and shots to clinch a dramatic 3-2 victory (9-11, 14-12, 4-11, 11-9, 11-9).
Vic International Open to Celebrate 40 Years of Table Tennis Excellence
The Vic International Table Tennis Open will celebrate a major milestone this year, as the 40th edition of the prestigious event is set to take place on September 13 and 14, 2025, at the Castell d’en Planes Sports Hall in Vic, near Barcelona. Launched in 1986 with a single Men’s Singles event—won by Spanish legend Josep Ma PALÉS – the tournament has grown into one of the longest-running and most inclusive events on the calendar. Over the decades, it has steadily expanded its reach, adding new categories that reflect both the evolving landscape of the sport and a strong commitment to accessibility and diversity. The second edition introduced the Women’s Singles event, which was claimed by Belgian player Barbara LIPPENS. Since then, the Open has added the Catalan Open, Youth Opens, the Adapted Open, and the Veterans Open. This year, the tournament continues to break new ground with the introduction of the 1st Open for People with Parkinson’s, underlining its inclusive vision. All categories – except the Catalan Open, hold international status, attracting a wide range of athletes from around the world. Throughout its four-decade history, the Vic Open has welcomed some of the sport’s biggest names. Chinese-born Spanish star HE Zhi Wen, a fan favorite, has won the title an impressive seven times. Among active Spanish players, Carlos MACHADO and Marc DURAN have each lifted the trophy four times, while Sara RAMÍREZ has been crowned champion twice. On the international stage, top talents such as Félix LEBRUN of France and NI Xia Lian of Luxembourg have also left their mark. LEBRUN, currently ranked sixth in the world and the top-ranked European player, added to his growing legacy with a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. As the tournament prepares for its 40th edition, the Vic Open stands not only as a celebration of table tennis tradition in Catalonia, but also as a shining example of the sport’s inclusive future. Fans and players alike can look forward to another exciting chapter in this historic event.
GAUZY Overcomes LIN Gaoyuan: I will never get tired of that
Simon GAUZY continued his memorable run at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2025 in Doha, producing a determined and high-quality performance to defeat China’s LIN Gaoyuan 4-2 (2-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-3) and secure a place in the round of 16. It had already been a dramatic day for the Frenchman, who saved two match points earlier against Denmark’s Anders LIND to stay in the competition. By the time the evening session arrived, Gauzy was fired up for another challenge—this time against an opponent he had never beaten in four previous encounters. LIN opened the match with authority, racing through the first game, but GAUZY responded with sharp counterplay and bold shot-making to level the score. The third game proved pivotal: trailing 4-9 and facing two game points, GAUZY clawed his way back and edged it 13-11, shifting the momentum firmly in his favour. Though LIN responded in the fifth, GAUZY stepped up again in the sixth game, dictating rallies and riding a wave of confidence to close out the match in style. “That’s the second time I’ve beaten a top Chinese player in the World Championships, and I will never get tired of that,” Gauzy said afterward. “It will not get easier in the next round, but I’m really, really happy. I think I’m entertaining when I’m playing good. When I’m playing like that, I think it’s nice to watch me play. Lately it’s been the case, but it’s not always been the case. I know when I’m playing with that hard spirit and I land my crazy shots, I can disturb anyone. And that’s what I did today. I mean, I think he (Wang Chuqin) is the favourite to win the World Championships. That’s my take -but I hope he’ll lose quite early.” With the win, GAUZY sets up a highly anticipated last-16 clash against 2023 World Championships silver medallist WANG Chuqin.
