The World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Macao 2023 got underway at the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion yesterday, with sixth seed Mima Ito of Japan overcoming a slow start to beat Elizabeta Samara of Romania in four games.
In the men’s singles, Brazilian ace Hugo Calderano eventually took down Egyptian Omar Assar 3-2 (8-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9), while French rising star Alexis Lebrun, 19, chalked up an impressive 3-2 (11-9, 6-11, 11-13, 11-7, 11-8) win over the 2021 World Championships silver medallist Truls Moregard from Sweden.
Englishman Liam Pitchford pulled off a clutch win against France’s Simon Gauzy 3-1 (12-10, 11-7, 5-11, 11-5). Pitchford dominated the fourth game with decisive short balls and elastic banana backhands.
Wong Chun Ting of Hong Kong defeated Japanese Shinozuka Hiroto 3-1 (11-7, 11-13, 11-7, 11-9).
In the women’s singles, Ito survived an early scare to secure a 3-1 (7-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6) win over Samara in their first meeting in the international arena.
Australia’s Liu Yangzi scored a milestone win, defeating World No. 25 Dina Meshref of Egypt 3-2 (8-11, 11-6, 13-11, 7-11, 11-7). It was Liu’s career best victory and the first for an athlete from Oceania at a WTT Champions event.
Japan’s Hina Hayata defeated Lily Zhang of the United States 3-0 (11-5, 11-6, 11-3). Cheng I-Ching of Chinese Taipei eased past Indian Manika Batra 3-0 (11-4, 11-3, 11-9).
– Xinhua, MPD
