Liam Pitchford has been knocked out of the Qatar Open in a seven-setter by Korea’s Donghyun Kim.

Pitchford twice came from behind to level, and then took a 3-2 lead. But his opponent, ranked No 80 in the world took the last two sets to complete a 4-3 win (11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6).

Pitchford had yesterday made a winning start, beating Belgium’s Cedric Nuytinck 4-1 in Doha to set up the clash with Kim.

The Chesterfield player took the first set 11-6 but then saw his left-handed opponent came from 9-2 down to take the second 12-10.

But Pitchford was able to refocus and regain control, winning the next three to seal a 4-1 (11-6, 10-12, 11-9, 11-5, 11-7) victory.

Click here to watch the match in full

It avenged a defeat he suffered at the hands of Nuytinck at the European Team Championships in Lisbon last September.

Paul Stimpson
February 19, 2015