In the third round of the 2024 ITTF Macau World Cup on April 17, the ITTF made a big oolong, and the official temporarily adjusted the ranking data, causing huge controversy. Regarding the rules of the ITTF, the original statement was vague, perhaps because the official staff misunderstood the rules.
Original text of the ITTF Official Rules
In the original rules of the International Table Tennis Federation, Article 3.11 is a plan specifically for the group ranking of the Macau World Cup. This rule first states that the final rankings will be sorted according to the rules of 3.7.5 and that the terms of the Match Points rule are not included. Immediately following the official rules, which point out that the game is decided by the odds of the game, followed by the small points, it is particularly misleading here.
In the official original ranking list of this World Cup, the relevant staff may have misunderstandings, and they are compared in order according to the total win-loss ratio and the total small score ratio. This is also the end of the game between Tomokazu Zhang and Grote, when the score ratio of the two sides is the same, Grote ranks first in the group with a small score advantage.
Later, the ITTF found that it did not match the actual set rules, and the media and fans were also discussing it in the circle, and the official seized the time to correct the mistake. After that, the official quickly changed the ranking list, ranked Tomokazu Zhang to the first, and directly deleted the small score ratio item.
The actual comparison is like this, Zhang Ben Zhihe, Grote and Gaccini 3 people compare the score ratio of the total game, of which Zhang Ben and Grote have the same game score ratio, and Gaccini's game score ratio is lower. Then, Gacini was eliminated directly and no longer participated in the subsequent comparison. Tomokazu Zhang and Grote re-compared the game score between each other, and when the two sides scored 2-2, and then compared the small score ratio, Tomokazu Zhang narrowly beat Grote by 2 points.
The rules in Article 3.7.5 above refer to Article 3.7.5 of the International Competition Regulations of the Table Tennis Competition Rules issued by the ITTF in 2022. The ITTF issued rules in this way, which seems vague and makes a fuss about the fact that the oolong is being cleaned up. Because rule 3.7.5 involves points, of which rule 3.7.5.1 is: 2 points for 1 win, 1 point for 1 loss and 0 points for retirement, this rule is familiar to everyone.
Rule 3.7.5.2 states that if the total number of players is the same, the points between the players will be compared, if they are the same, the odds between the players will be compared, and if they are still the same, the odds between the players will be compared. If you can't tell the difference, you will draw lots to decide.
In addition, the relevant rules also point out that in the process of comparison, if a number of players have already determined their rankings, the relevant results of this player will be deleted, and the other players will establish a secondary ranking for re-comparison.
In fact, this event is equivalent to treating 3 players in the same group as having the same point status, and then the 3 players will compare the odds of winning and losing. If all 3 players have the same game score, the total underscore is compared. If two of the players have the same score score, only the two players' scores will be compared.
The official rules could have been expressed in a simpler and clearer way, but the rules were meant to be easier to explain, but turned out to be more complicated. It is very easy to misunderstand without detailed reference to rule 3.7.5. Fooling the media and fans has also made a huge oolong, and the authority of the ITTF has been greatly reduced.