On April 19, the 2024 ITTF Men's and Women's World Cup in Macau, China continued, reaching the quarterfinals.
The first match was the men's singles quarterfinals, which were played by Japanese table tennis player Tomokazu Zhangmoto against Swedish player Anton Karpog. In the 1/8 finals, Karpaog eliminated Liang Jingkun, a member of the national table tennis team, 4-3, showing strong strength. Tomokazu Harimoto defeated Portugal's Marcos 4-2 in the quarter-finals.
Four members of the national table tennis team advanced to the quarterfinals and were divided into three districts, but Zhang Benzhihe did not meet the national table tennis players. Zhang Benzhi and luck are quite good. Of course, it was mainly Karl Pog who eliminated Liang Jingkun and cleared him of a master. But then again, since Karborg can eliminate Liang Jingkun, he is naturally very strong.
The two have played each other seven times before, with Karpaog winning four times and having a slight advantage.
However, this time, Tomokazu Zhang defeated Karborg 4-2 and advanced to the men's singles semifinals.
In the first game, Karborg took the lead and took a 4-2 lead, and then opened up the difference at 6-3 in the middle game. After Tomokazu Zhang scored 1 point, Karborg scored 3 points in a row, and the difference reached 5 points. Tomokazu Zhang chased 5 points in a row and tied the score. Unexpectedly, the quality of Zhang Benzhihe's serve was average, giving Karpog a chance to attack. Karborg scored two points in a row to win the first game 11-9. Zhang Benzhihe's hard work for half a day was in vain.
The second game started very closely, and it was tied at 4. Tomokazu Zhang scored 2 points in a row to take the lead. Zhang Benzhihe scored consecutive points in the second half of the game and pulled back a game with 11:7.
In the third game, the two fell into a stalemate again and played until 6 draws. I have to say that the strength of the two is very close, it depends on which one has better luck. Zhang Benzhihe scored consecutive backhand points, and the score came to 9:6. Kar Pog chased 2 points in a row and continued to put pressure on Tomokazu Zhangmoto. Tomokazu Zhang called a timeout. However, Tomokazu Zhang's timeout did not work, but instead helped Karpog. Karlbog scored three more points in a row to win the game 11-9.
In the fourth game, Tomokazu Zhang made a 3:0 start. The two sides played a multi-board ball of nearly 20 boards, which caused warm applause from the audience. Tomokazu Zhang scored again in a row to take a 7:1 lead. Zhang Benzhihe suddenly exerted force, which was very threatening. The score came to 9:2 again. Karborg chased 6 points. Zhang Benzhihe smiled awkwardly. Zhang Benzhihe's hand shape is not good, and his receiving posture is not good for controlling the ball. Zhang Benzhihe finally scored 1 point and yelled in celebration. Karborg chased another 1 point. However, Tomokazu Zhang still seized the opportunity and won the game 11-9.
Zhang Benzhihe's psychological quality is still not good. He scored 9th points in the first, third and fourth games, and then he didn't know how to play, and then Karborg scored consecutive points. In the fourth game, Tomokazu Zhang had a little better luck and won that game.
In the fifth game, at 2 draws, Tomokazu Zhang scored 3 points in a row and took a big lead. Karborg chased down 6 draws. Tomokazu Zhang scored 2 points in a row. Tomokazu held the lead until the end and won the game 11-9.
Tomokazu Zhang was very excited, yelled in celebration, and pointed his finger east and west, which was somewhat disrespectful to Karborg and disrespectful to the audience.
In the sixth game, Tomokazu Zhang took a 6:1 lead. Carl Pog's timeout can't change the decline. Tomokazu Zhang won the sixth game 11:4. Tomokazu raised his finger again.
Tomokazu Zhang defeated Karpog 4-2 and advanced to the men's singles semifinals.