Liam Pitchford exited the WTT United States Smash in Las Vegas at the hands of South Korea’s Lee Sang Su in a match in which he had chances in every game.

Pitchford (WR 46), fresh from beating world No 19 Chen Yuanyu of China in the first round, led the first game 5-1 but was pegged back to 6-6, but he pulled clear again as he won the next three points and went on to take the game 11-7.

The second was level at 4-4 when Lee (WR 30) put together the biggest run of the match, taking the next five points as he levelled the match score.

The third was likely to be pivotal and so it proved. Pitchford led 8-5 but Lee came back to 8-8. The Englishman won the next point, but two in a row gave Lee a game point. Pitchford saved that one, but Lee took his next chance to claim the game.

Pitchford again led the fourth, 7-5 on this occasion, but Lee hit back to go in front. Although Pitchford levelled at 8-8, the next three points went to the Korean, who now faces world No 2 Wang Chuqin in the last 16.

Result

Men’s Singles
Round of 32
Lee Sang Su (KOR) bt Pitchford 3-1 (7-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-8)