The ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cup Macao 2024 is upon us, and the draw has been set for a thrilling start to the tournament. Fans are eagerly awaiting the action as 96 of the world’s best table tennis athletes gear up to compete for the coveted spots in the next stage.
On the eve of the event’s kickoff, over 4.3 million live viewers from around the globe tuned in to catch a glimpse of their favorite players and the outcomes of the draw. This impressive viewership underscores the immense anticipation surrounding the tournament, setting the stage for an electrifying display of table tennis prowess.
In the Men’s Singles, top seed Wang Chuqin will open his campaign against Kirill Gerassimenko and An Jaehyun in Group 1. With a dominant 2-0 and 5-0 head-to-head record against his opponents respectively, Wang appears poised to secure a smooth progression to the next stage. The two-time WTT Champions Macao title holder is ready to thrill fans with another commanding performance next week.
Defending champion Fan Zhendong will embark on his title defense against Wong Chun Ting and Benedikt Duda in a formidable Group 2. Fresh off his WTT Feeder Varazdin 2024 triumph and a Mixed Doubles qualification for the Paris Olympics, the world number two is brimming with confidence and momentum as he aims to extend his impressive 16-match win streak.
“I’m really glad to see the World Cup coming back after three years, and for every athlete, the World Cup will be a good opportunity to show ourselves. I will try my best and I hope that I can play to my best abilities,” said Fan Zhendong.
Group 14 in the Men’s Singles promises an exhilarating showdown between Anton Kallberg, Lim Jonghoon, and rising star Izaac Quek. Kallberg will be eager to avenge his recent defeat against Lim at the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup 2023, setting the stage for a thrilling clash.
In the Women’s Singles, top seed Sun Yingsha will face off against Chen Szu-Yu and Zhu Chengzhu in Group 1. With a dominant head-to-head record against both opponents, Sun is the heavy favorite to progress, but the new four-game format adds an element of unpredictability to the proceedings.
“I think personally the four-game match is really quick in terms of the playing system, and you need to control the rhythm of the play. For every athlete, the playing system is new,” acknowledged Sun Yingsha.
Defending champion Chen Meng will take on Sreeja Akula and Natalia Bajor in Group 4 as she aims to reclaim her title. Meanwhile, 2016 Women’s World Cup winner Miu Hirano will kick off her campaign against Jia Nan Yuan and Jocelyn Lam in Group 14, in what promises to be an intriguing encounter.
With only one spot available in Stage 2 for each group, the next three days are set to be packed with intense table tennis action as players vie for the coveted progression spot in this innovative playing format.
Prior to the draw ceremony, ITTF President Petra Sörling, ITTF Deputy President Liu Guoliang, and ITTF Group CEO Steve Dainton addressed the media, emphasizing the significance of the event’s return after a three-year hiatus and the collaborative efforts with the Macao government and partners to bring this vision to life.
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