WTT Champions is the top tier of the WTT Series, and in Macao, $800,000 USD will be on offer in prize money. The top 32 players in both men and women go into straight into the Round of 32, and play a straight knockout.

The star studded field includes Wang Chuqin, Liang Jingkun, Darko Jorgic, Dimitrij Ovtcharov, Quadri Aruna and Truls Möregårdh involved in the men’s event, and Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu, Wang Yidi, Miwa Harimoto and Bernadette Szocs in the women’s event.

Last year, Pitchford got off to a great start in Macao, defeating France’s Simon Gauzy 3-1. Liam then lost to Ma Long 3-1 in the Round of 16, but this time, the famed Chinese superstar will not be taking part. In 2022, Liam succumbed to Swede Truls Möregårdh in the Round of 32.

Liam has been drawn against 19 year old Australian Nicholas Lum. The left hander featured in the Paris Olympics, and back in 2022, even managed to finish fourth in the the men’s and mixed doubles at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. He is currently ranked number 33 in the world, while Liam comes into Macao ranked number 38. Should Pitchford get through this Round of 32 hurdle, a potential meeting with Olympics silver medallist, Truls Möregårdh awaits in the Round of 16.

The match is scheduled to take place on Monday 9th September and will begin at approximately 4:35am GMT.

To follow the event, you can watch along on the WTT YouTube Channel, or follow on the WTT event page.