20-05-2025
Gauzy shocks Gaoyuan to move into PQF
Tribune News Network
Doha
Simon Gauzy produced one of the biggest upsets of the Word Table Tennis Championships - Doha 2025 as the frenchman stunned China's Lin Gaoyuan 4-2 (2-11, 11-8, 13-11, 6-11, 11-1, 11-3) to advance into the Men's Singles Round of 16 at the University of Qatar's sports arena on Tuesday.
Gauzy recovered brilliantly after a slow start, showcasing tremendous mental fortitude and tactical brilliance to overcome one of China's elite players.
Wrapping up a thriller of day three of the championships in Doha, South Korea's pairing of Kim and Lee provided one final upset by defeating Chinese Taipei's fifth-seeded Cheng I-Ching and Li Yu-Jhun 3-1 (12-10, 8-11, 9-11, 11-5) in Women's Doubles. The Korean duo's victory added to the day's narrative of unexpected results that have continued to reshape the tournament landscape.
Croatia's Rakovac
continues fairytale run
Croatia's Lea Rakovac claimed yet another major scalp, defeating Korea Republic's 17th seed Suh Hyo Won 4-2 in a stunning performance. This victory carries special significance for Rakovac, who was defeated by Suh in the first round of her World Championships debut back in 2013. Twelve years later, the Croatian has completed a perfect redemption story, eliminating Suh in what is believed to be the Korea Republic's defensive specialist's final worlds Championships appearance.
Italian teen Monfardini
creates history
Italy's young star Gaia Monfardini eliminated Hong Kong, China's Doo Hoi Kem in a nail-biting seven-game thriller 4-3 (11-9, 11-1, 7-11, 4-11, 11-11, 6-11, 11-7). The Italian teenager showed incredible composure in the deciding game to claim the biggest win of her career and become the first Italian woman to reach the Round of 32 at the World Championships in over a decade.
Quadri Aruna
delivers for Africa
Nigeria's Quadri Aruna lived up to his reputation as Africa's finest, defeating Germany's 14th seed Benedikt Duda 4-2 (11-9, 4-11, 12-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9) in their highly anticipated clash. Aruna, who made history in 2021 as the first African player to reach the Men's Singles quarterfinals at the World Championships, showed why he remains one of the most dangerous players in the draw, combining explosive power with tactical awareness to overcome his European rival.
Doubles action heats up
The Egyptian duo of Youssef Abdelaziz and Mohamed El-Beiali made history by becoming the first African pair to reach the quarterfinals of the Men's Doubles event at an ITTF World Championships. They continued their impressive run by defeating the Greek-Slovak combination of Wang and Angelakis 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 11-7). The Egyptians look increasingly dangerous advancing to the quarter-finals.
Kallberg upstages
Abdulwahab
Sweden's 15th seed Anton Kallberg halted local hope Mohammed Abdulwahab in the men's singles round of 64, posting a brisk straight-games victory that lasted just 33 minutes 35 seconds. Källberg dictated the tempo throughout, breaking clear in the opening two games 11-6, 11-6 before staving off a spirited fight-back to edge the third 11-9. He then closed out the contest 11-7, sealing a 4-0 success, booking a last-32 berth and ending the home favourite's maiden world-championship run.
