Liam Pitchford lost a tough match in the last 32 of the Hong Kong Open as he was beaten 4-2 by Chinese defender Ma Te today.
A fascinating match swung back and forth and ultimately hinged on the fifth game, which Pitchford led 8-2, 10-8 and 11-10 before losing it 13-11.
The two had shared the first four games, Pitchford trailing 5-0 in the first, which he lost 11-4, but then winning the first five points of the second on his way to taking it 11-9. The next two games were won 11-8, one in favour of each athlete.
After that pivotal fifth game, Ma Te opened up a 9-3 lead in the sixth and, although Pitchford fought back to 9-7 and saved one match point, Ma won it 11-8 to go through to the last 16.
Click here to watch Pitchford v Ma Te (registration required).
In the doubles, Paul Drinkhall & Sam Walker were knocked out in the last 16 in three straight by Chinese opponents Liang Jingkun & Lin Gaoyuan.
Click here to watch the match (registration required).
Results
Men’s Singles
Round of 32
Ma Te (CHN) bt Liam Pitchford 4-2 (11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11, 13-11, 11-8)
Men’s Doubles
Round of 16
Liang Jingkun & Lin Gaoyuan (CHN) bt Paul Drinkhall & Sam Walker 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-5)