This photo released by World Table Tennis in its official website shows paddler Mima Ito of Japan during the World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Macao 2023 on April 17, 2023.

MACAO - The World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Macao 2023 got underway here on Monday, with sixth seed Mima Ito of Japan overcoming a slow start to beat Elizabeta Samara of Romania in four games.

In the men's singles, Brazilian ace Hugo Calderano eventually took down Egyptian Omar Assar 3-2 (8-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9), while French rising star Alexis Lebrun, 19, chalked up an impressive 3-2 (11-9, 6-11, 11-13, 11-7, 11-8) win over the 2021 World Championships silver medallist Truls Moregard from Sweden.

Englishman Liam Pitchford pulled off a clutch win against France's Simon Gauzy 3-1 (12-10, 11-7, 5-11, 11-5). Pitchford dominated the fourth game with decisive short balls and elastic banana backhands.

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Wong Chun-ting of Hong Kong, China, defeated Japanese Shinozuka Hiroto 3-1 (11-7, 11-13, 11-7, 11-9).

In the women's singles, Ito survived an early scare to secure a 3-1 (7-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6) win over Samara in their first meeting in the international arena.

Australia's Liu Yangzi scored a milestone win, defeating World No. 25 Dina Meshref of Egypt 3-2 (8-11, 11-6, 13-11, 7-11, 11-7). It was Liu's career best victory and the first for an athlete from Oceania at a WTT Champions event.

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Japan's Hina Hayata defeated Lily Zhang of the United States 3-0 (11-5, 11-6, 11-3). Cheng I-Ching of Chinese Taipei eased past Indian Manika Batra 3-0 (11-4, 11-3, 11-9).