Latin American continent believes

Stopped in round three in 2017 when the World Championships were staged in Düsseldorf, but two years later Hugo Calderano has surpassed that feat. The no.7 seed from Brazil accounted for the ever-improving Sathiyan Gnanasekaran by a 4-0 margin (11-6, 11-3, 11-9, 11-9) to set up a Round of 16 meeting with Ma Long.

“I made a good start, I gave him no chances. He’s a good player, he can adapt and he did start to play better but fortunately I was able to stay on top.” Hugo Calderano

Qualifier continues fantastic run

An Jaehyun remains in the men’s singles race after knocking out another seeded opponent in Budapest: the Korean player came through a difficult battle against no.25 seed Daniel Habesohn in round three but eventually got the job done across six games (10-12, 11-6, 11-8, 12-14, 11-3, 11-4).

Defeated, Xu Xin reacts

Following his shock defeat Xu Xin has reflected on the match:

“I made some errors when carrying out the tactics, especially when I led 8-3 in the fifth game. Simon has always been one of our opponents his playing style is very stable and he played very very aggressively today. He used spins quiet well in this match. There was nothing wrong related to my body condition, it was all because of my mentality.” Xu Xin

XU XIN FALLS!!!

The crowd are on their feet as France’s Simon Gauzy embraces coach Patrick Chila after claiming a massive upset, eliminating second seed Xu Xin in a breathtaking encounter. Producing some of his finest table tennis to date, an inspired Gauzy fought back from 1-2 down to beat the Chinese penhold specialist 4-2 (11-8, 6-11, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9, 11-9) – What a result!

“It is a fantastic win; I am so happy to overcome such an exciting player… I had the advantage. I went deep into his forehand and put pressure on him. He recovered, but I attacked with the backhand and lost the third game really close. Nevertheless, I saw that my tactics were working and that it was only a matter of time before he would start to suffer from the pressure. I came close and kept forcing the same game. The dangerous moment was in the sixth game when I realised I could win. I was 8:3 up and he narrowed the advantage. I was afraid he might start to play riskier, but he was very nervous and could not return to the game.” Simon Gauzy

Falck and Boll prevail

Sweden’s Mattias Falck moves through to the last 16 of the men’s singles following a dominant performance against Portuguese opponent Tiago Apolonia (11-6, 11-4, 11-5, 11-8). German legend Timo Boll also advances at Masataka Morizono’s expense (11-3, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8).

Journey ends for Nigerian star

Quadri Aruna won’t be playing any further part in the men’s singles event after the Nigerian’s progress was halted by top seed Fan Zhendong (12-10, 11-2, 11-6, 11-9).

“It was a very difficult match and he was a much better player than me. I was just hoping that if I could win the first set then maybe I could be able to play more and more. But immediately he won the first set. Fan Zhendong was not himself but… he started dictating the match. Even in the last set, I was leading 8-5 and he caught up with me to win and that showed he is a better player than me. For me this tournament is another best competition in my career because I had never made it to the Round of 32 at the World Championships. So, getting to this stage is another milestone for me. I hope to do much better in future!” Quadri Aruna

Pros speak Hungarian

Find out which pros are masters of the Hungarian language and which players need a little more practise:

Mature display

While we’ve witnessed a couple of major upsets back-to-back that was not the situation that unfolded when Tomokazu Harimoto met Marcos Freitas. Showing great maturity throughout the match no.4 seed Harimoto posted a convincing 4-0 victory over his Portuguese rival (11-8, 14-12, 11-7, 11-7).

OVTCHAROV IS OUT!!!

What a match! Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov has been eliminated in round three of the men’s singles draw after suffering a shock defeat at the hands of Croatia’s Tomislav Pucar. Trailing 2-3 in a breathtaking contest Pucar, seeded 50th, showed great courage in games six and seven to defy all the odds, ending the no.12 seed’s podium ambitions in the process (11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 8-11, 2-11, 11-5, 11-7).

“I had great help from Andrej Gacina. He played against Ovtcharov many times before so he wrote me a few tips; I watched his matches on YouTube and set up a few good tactics with my coach. I was well prepared.” Tomislav Pucar

Korean star stuns Japanese Giant!

Japanese star Jun Mizutani is out of the men’s singles tournament at the third hurdle following a full distance thriller against Korea Republic’s Jeoung Youngsik: In the deciding seventh game Mizutani saved three match point opportunities but ultimately it wasn’t enough as Jeoung held his nerve (7-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8).

Ma Long wins clash of titans affair

In a star-studded encounter between two legends of the game it was China’s Ma Long who took the plaudits against Belarus’ Vladimir Samsonov across five games (11-6, 7-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-8) to earn his place in the last 16. Defeat for Samsonov but another highly respectable World Championships performance from the 43-year-old.

Shock or not?

End of the road for Japan’s Mima Ito but was her defeat to Sun Yingsha a shock or not?

Homework complete

Considered in many circles the major threat to Chinese ambitions, having last year beaten Liu Shiwen, Ding Ning and Zhu Yuling, Japan’s Mima Ito, the no.6 seed, was beaten in five games by Sun Yingsha, the no.24 seed (11-6, 11-9, 11-9, 13-15, 11-2). Simply from the defeats of 2018, the Chinese coaches had done their homework.

“I am satisfied with my performance today as I took the match. Ito is now the big threat to China, I just tried to challenge her today. I prepared this match last night. Chinese Table Tennis Association President Liu Guoliang and my coach Li Sun also gave me a lot of advice. It was impossible for me to stay cool. Frankly I was so nervous during the match. I just told myself one word: win. I was preparing the for the match until 11.30 pm last night and wrote down some key points which I needed for today’s match. After that I  played two computer games and watched some interesting videos on tiktok before going to sleep. It helped me relax.” Sun Yingsha

“I think Sun Yingsha played really well today. Even she met some difficulties, she carried out the tactics very firmly; this is not easy for a young player. Mima Ito has the strength to compete against Chinese players. She has won many times; her playing style is unique especially in the first three strokes which are powerful” Li Sun (Chinese National Coach)

Reality check for Adriana Diaz

Setting who new standards in Latin America but for Puerto Rico’s 18 year old Adriana Diaz, the no.26 seed, there was a lesson from the best player in the world.

She was beaten in straight games by highly focused Ding Ning (11-1, 11-8, 11-2, 11-5), the Chinese star giving the young lady the picturesque town of Utuado no time the draw breath.

Miu Hirano tested

Women’s Singles – Round Three

Japan’s Miu Hirano, the no.8 seed, beat Canada’s Zhang Mo, the no.21 seed but she was severely tested; she needed six games to secure victory (11-6, 13-11, 11-13, 7-11, 11-4, 11-4).

“When the match was 2-2 she changed her service and she started pushing me half long; this became difficult for me. I came here with the intention of getting to last the last 16, unfortunately it was a last 32 exit.” Zhang Mo

“At 2-2 I had to change my service and receive as well as my tactics; this really changed the game for me. It was very tough but I was well prepared.” Miu Hirano

Minnie Soo Wai Yam in form

Hong Kong’s Minnie Soo Wai Yam was very much the player in form; the no.24 seed, she player error free, secure in every department of her play.

She accounted for Romania’s Bernadette Szocs, the no.14 seed, in four straight games (14-12, 14-12, 11-5, 11-6)

Host nation hopes end

Defeat for Dora Madarasz, the no.53 seed, beaten by Singapore’s Feng Tianwei (11-7, 11-4, 11-8, 11-8), ended the hopes of the host nation, Feng Tianwei very much in the comfort zone.

“Yesterday I played two matches, so I felt a bit tired. Today I feel much better. I am getting used to the venue and atmosphere here.” Feng Tianwei

European bronze medallists succeed

Germany’s Patrick Franziska and Petrissa Solja, bronze medallists at the Liebherr 2019 European Championships and the no.12 seeds, caused somewhat of an upset. They accounted for Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-Ju and Cheng I-Ching, the no.6 seeds (11-9, 11-7, 5-11, 11-7, 11-8). Notably two years ago in Düsseldorf, Cheng I-Ching emerged the runner up in partnership with Chien Chen-An.

“Everything comes to small details. It was crucial to maintain a good service and receive game, but also to play fast and aggressive. To keep the ball short.” Patrick Franziska

”More then result I am happy that I can say that our game improved. We have more confidence. This match was not easy at all as the 4-1 result predicts.” Petrissa Solja

Defending champion, national champions progress

Defending champions and no.2 seeds, Japan’s Maharu Yoshimura and Kasumi Ishikawa alongside colleagues Masataka Morizono and Mima Ito, the no.4 seeds and reigning national champions, duly advanced but in contrasting fashions.

Maharu Yoshimura and Kasumi Ishikawa had to recover from a two games to one deficit to beat the host nation’s Adam Szudi and Szandra Pergel, the no.13 seeds (5-11, 14-12, 6-11, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10).

“We attacked them, started in good form at the beginning, but they were better.” Szandra Pergel

Rather more comfortably Masataka Morizono and Mima Ito accounted for Korea Republic’s Jang Woojin and Choi Hyojoo, the no.10 seeds (11-7, 11-9, 11-3, 11-6).

Fan Zhendong and Ding Ning relentless

China’s Fan Zhendong and Ding Ning continued to progress in an authoritative manner; they beat the French partnership of Tristan Flore and Laura Gasnier in five games (11-6, 11-8, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5)

“When leading 3-0, we made some mistakes in the fourth game but it did not affect the situation too much. We need to communicate more and get prepared for the next match. Singles and doubles events are both important for Team China. Coaches trust me and give me the chance to play in two events, so I will try my best to fulfill the task.” Fan Zhendong

Day Four action begins

The time has arrived for the proceedings to get underway on Day Four of the Liebherr 2019 World Championships – for detailed information take a look at the fixture schedule below:

Preview Day Four

Take a look at what’s coming your way on Day Four with our quick preview article:

Preview Day Four: Stars to meet in unmissable encounters

Adriana Diaz x TATA Trickshot

Watch Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz show off her amazing trickshot!