England got off to a losing start at the World Team Championships in Chengdu as they were defeated 3-2 to Poland despite two wins for Liam Pitchford.
With their top-ranked player Jakub Dyjas not present in China, Poland still had the threat of Maciej Kubik (WR 90), the second-ranked player in the match, as well as Samuel Kulczycki, fresh from becoming European Under-21 champion this month.
It was Kulczycki (WR 123) who opened up against David McBeath (WR 390) and the Englishman struck first in a tight first game, coming back from 6-9 down and saving two game points before taking his own second chance with a decisive forehand flick to win it 14-12.
But Kulczycki, who also reached the under-19 final at the World Junior Championships last year, found his range and the next three games saw him open up early leads which he never let slip.
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Pitchford (WR 22) levelled for England with a 3-0 victory over Milosz Redzimski (WR 232). Pitchford was momentarily distracted near the beginning of the match by a late umpiring signal as he received serve, and he found himself 4-1 down.
That was pretty much as good as it got for the Pole, however, as Pitchford won the first two games 11-7, 11-4 and then saved two game points in taking the third 12-10.
Sam Walker (WR 105) versus Kubik was the closest match on paper and so it proved in reality. Walker took the first 11-6 and led the second 10-9, at which point the Polish timeout was taken. It worked as Kubik took the next three points.
The third saw Walker always slightly behind, and he showed his frustration at missing a very makeable forehand at 8-10, earning a yellow card for the manner in which he put his bat down on the table at the end.
The next saw Walker fight back from 4-7 and 6-9 down to stand at 9-9 as he looked to put England in front. But Kubik won the next two points.
Pitchford again hauled England level as he beat Kulczycki in three straight, saving a game point at 10-11 to win the first 13-11, having led 10-8, and then cantering through the next two.
All of which meant it was a winner-take-all clash between McBeath and Redzimski. And it was the Pole who seized the moment with a 3-0 victory to put the pressure on England for their next match against the group’s top seeds Sweden tomorrow.
That match is at 6am UK time – watch via the WTT website.
Results
Group 5
Poland 3 England 2
Samuel Kulczycki bt David McBeath 3-1 (12-14, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4)
Liam Pitchford bt Milosz Redzimski 3-0 (11-7, 11-4, 12-10)
Maciej Kubik bt Sam Walker 3-1 (6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-9)
Pitchford bt Kulczycki 3-0 (13-11, 11-6, 11-6)
Redzimski bt McBeath 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-8)