Liam Pitchford was edged out in four close games by third seed Darko Jorgic at the WTT Contender Almaty today.

Pitchford was never behind in the first and won it 11-8, with three successive points from 7-7 tipping the balance.

In the second, there was never more than a point in it until Jorgic won three in a row from 7-7 – but Pitchford saved all three games points with some positive play. However, he could not prevent the third seed taking the next chance.

Pitchford led the third all the way and had two game points, but missed a winner by millimetres and saw world No 11 Jorgic take the next three points as well.

The fourth saw a familiar pattern as it reached 7-7 before Jorgic took the next three points. Pitchford saved two of the match points, prompting his opponent to take his timeout, and Jorgic sealed victory next point as a Pitchford forehand went long.

Result

Men’s Singles
Round of 16
Darko Jorgic (SLO) bt Liam Pitchford 3-1 (8-11, 12-10, 12-10, 11-9)