As Day 2 reaches its midpoint, the upsets continue to send shockwaves through the Lusail Multipurpose Hall and Qatar University venues.
France’s Lutz Stuns Korea Republic Star
In what must be considered one of the event’s most stunning upsets so far, France’s Charlotte Lutz produced a sensational performance to defeat Korea Republic’s highly-rated Lee Eunhye 4-2 (7-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 12-10, 11-8). After dropping the first two games, Lutz showed remarkable mental fortitude to win four consecutive games.
Czech Republic’s Matelova Dismantles 27th Seed
The Czech Republic’s Hana Matelova delivered a clinical performance to eliminate Egypt’s 27th-seeded Dina Meshref in straight games (11-7, 11-3, 11-3, 11-7), sending a clear message that rankings count for little at this elite level of competition.
Australian Duo Stuns German Stars
The 15th-seeded Australian pair of Bae and Sareen pulled off a remarkable victory against the German combination of Franziska and Ovtcharov. The young Australians, featuring ITTF Hopes Programme alumnus Aditya Sareen, dominated proceedings with a straight games 3-0 win, highlighting the effectiveness of the ITTF development pathway.
African Excellence Shines Through
Madagascar’s Hanitra Raharimanana produced one of Day 2’s standout performances, defeating Singapore’s Loy Ming Ying in a six-game thriller. Meanwhile, Egypt’s duo of Abdelaziz and Alhodaby decisively handled Australia’s Bae and Psihogios with a commanding 3-0 victory.
Lin Shidong Makes Statement
Top seed Lin Shidong of China made a powerful start to his Men’s Singles campaign, dispatching England’s Liam Pitchford 4-0 (11-9, 12-10, 11-2, 11-9) in a commanding performance that demonstrated why he’s considered the favourite for the title.
Harimoto Siblings Shine
Japan’s teenage sensation Miwa Harimoto (5) lived up to expectations in her World Championships Finals debut, defeating Ukraine’s experienced Margaryta Pesotska 4-1. Her brother Tomokazu Harimoto (4) claimed a convincing 4-1 victory over Korea Republic’s Lim Jonghoon in their highly-anticipated clash.
Croatia’s Arapovic Wins Marathon Match
In one of the day’s most gripping contests, Croatia’s Hana Arapovic edged Kazakhstan’s Zauresh Akasheva 4-3 (8-11, 11-7, 11-1, 6-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-8) in a match that showcased the fighting spirit that defines championship table tennis.
European Contenders Advance
European champions continue to make their mark, with Germany’s Ying Han and Sweden’s Christina Kallberg securing impressive victories. The Lebrun brothers of France survived a scare in their Men’s Doubles opener, coming from 0-2 down to win 3-2 against Spain’s Berzosa and Perez.
Asian Powerhouses Dominate
Japan’s top-seeded Women’s Doubles pair Odo and Yokoi dominated their Ukrainian opponents, while the Harimoto/Matsushima Men’s Doubles pairing looked equally impressive in their 3-0 victory, while China’s Shi Xunyao delivered a flawless 4-0 performance against Hong Kong, China’s Lam Yee Lok.
New Stars Emerge
Luxembourg’s Luka Mladenovic impressed with a commanding 4-0 win over Paraguay’s Gustavo Gomez, while Iran’s Neda Shahsavari dominated Uzbekistan’s Sarvinoz Mirkadirova by the same scoreline, highlighting the global development of table tennis talent.
As Day 2 action continues into the evening session, the intensity builds with more exciting matchups scheduled. The unpredictable nature of this championship promises further excitement as players from all six continents battle for glory in Doha.
