Site Products

Calderano: Two-in-a-Row

(by Steve Hopkins)

Hugo Calderano has had a perfect start to 2023 – two WTT events and two wins.  In defense of his competition, Calderano has been the top seed in both events – but in Durban last week and Doha this week, the draw was packed with dangerous players in the Top 50 and Calderano is undefeated across both tournaments.

This week, in the WTT Contender Doha, Calderano topped Puerto Rico’s Angel Naranjo in the Round of 32, then had a tight 3-2 win over Robert Gardos in the Round of 16, defeated Yuan Licen in the Quarterfinals, had to win the final two games for a comeback victory over Xiang Peng in the Semifinals, and then dominated Jang Woojin in the Final 4-1.  Elsewhere in the event, Marcos Freitas logged a nice upset over second seeded Quadri Aruna – but then fell to rising Chinese player Lin Shidong in the Quarters.

Last week, German players were the top seeds in the Women’s event and younger Chinese players managed to push their way past the higher seeds to dominant the leaderboard.  The script this week is very similar – with Nina Mittelham entering as the highest seed, but falling early.  Similarly Jia Nan Yuan of France was the second seed, and she fell (to Choi Hyojoo) in the Round of 16.  Five Chinese players made it through to the Final 8 – and they were joined by Cheng I-Ching of Taipei, Manika Batra of India, and Choi Hyojoo of Korea.  The Semifinals were Liu Weishan (China) versus Fan Siqi (China), and Zhang Rui (China) versus Manika Batra (India).  Fan and Zhang reached the Final, with Zhang jumping out to a 2-0 lead, but Fan Siqi coming from behind to win 4-3.

The next Doha event starts tomorrow – the WTT Feeder Doha.  The top seed will be Omar Assar of Egypt (World No. 24).

Visit ButterflyOnline.com for the latest table tennis news and results

 

Latest News

Playing Kids

July 8, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) Let’s face it; they’re probably faster than you. They might have a coach working with… Read More

#2 A Skill That Is Likely To Score – Backhand Down The Line

July 7, 2025
[[Feature] [Special Feature] American Stars! Jha’s Strengths #2 A Skill That Is Likely To Score – Backhand Down… Read More

United States Smash: Tight Scores and a Big Upset in Early Action

July 7, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Action is underway in the main round of the United States Smash, the… Read More

MLTT Featured Team: Bay Area Blasters

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) The Bay Area Blasters plan to blast through the upcoming Major League Table… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Established in 2002, Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association (CUSTTA) is Alberta’s largest Table Tennis… Read More

Butterfly Players Shine at the 2025 US National Table Tennis Championships

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) The 2025 U.S. National Table Tennis Championships is one of the premiere annual… Read More

US Nationals Recap

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) The US National Table Tennis Championships is in the books.  One of America’s premiere events… Read More

United States Smash: Qualifiers are Finished and the Main Draw Begins Today

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) Americans made waves in the qualifying rounds of the United States Smash, the… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.