WTT Macao started today in the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion.
England’s Liam PITCHFORD no.9 seed advances to Battle Two after the close contest against Korea Republic’s JANG Woojin no.10 seed (9-11 11-4 11-10 11-7). One game went to JANG who recently struck bronze at the 2020 ITTF Men’s World Cup. The Korean would have hoped to extend his advantage but his English counterpart struck back immediately. A tight third game which was edged by a sudden death point handed PITCHFORD the momentum and he capitalised on it coming away from the fixture with the win.
The first player representing China to secure a spot in Battle Two of the men’s singles event was none other than FANG Bo following his fine victory over Austria’s Robert GARDOS (11-9 8-11 11-3 11-7).
United States’ Lily ZHANG overcame Germany’s Petrissa SOLJA (11-5 11-7 11-8). Hong Kong China’s DOO Hoi Kem needed full seven games to overcome Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS (11-7 7-11 11-8 6-11 11-7). Twice it was DOO who took the lead and twice SZOCS formed an immediate response to force a decider – both giving it their all but only one could advance and in the end it was DOO who took the plaudits.
