Liam Pitchford went out in the last 32 of the European Championships in Munich as he was beaten by Portugal’s Tiago Apolonia in six games.

Pitchford, seeded ninth, struck back to level at 2-2 after losing two tight opening games, the second having led 7-5 and 9-8.

The third saw him open a 6-0 lead and eventually win it 11-9 on his third game point, while he pulled away from 6-6 to 10-6 as he took the fourth 11-7.

The fifth was pivotal and it went 11-9 to the Portuguese, though Pitchford again held a useful lead at 8-6.

The sixth, however, was one-sided as Apolonia took a run of points from 3-1 to 10-1 and then accepted his second match point chance to move into the last 16, where he will play Germany’s Patrick Franziska.

Result

Men’s Singles
Round of 32
Tiago Apolonia (POR) bt Liam Pitchford 4-2 (11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-2)