Spanish paddlers Maria Xiao, Sofia Xuan Zhang and Galia Dvorak, as well as Alvaro Robles -the only Spanish male representation-, they already know their rivals for their debut, next Tuesday, November 23, at the 2021 Table Tennis World Cup in Houston (United States).
Dvorak, number 81 in the world ranking, will open the women’s individual competition against Belarusian Daria Trigolos, number 95 in the world. In the same mode, Zhang (126) will make her World Cup debut against American Yue Wu (43).
What’s more, Xiao (69) will begin his career in the tournament against Chengzhu Zhu (89), representative of Hong Kong. In men’s singles, Oak trees He will face Italian Mihai Bobocica (124) in the first round. Dvorak and Zhang They will form a pair in the women’s doubles modality and will face Hong Kong’s Zhu – Maria Xiao’s rival in singles – and Ng Wing Nam.
In men’s doubles, Robles will once again form a couple with the Romanian Ovidiu Ionescu. The current world runners-up will face Egyptians Ahmed Saleh and Khalis Assar in the second round, in what will be their first stumbling block on their way to revalidating a World Cup medal.
Xiao and Robles They will compete as a Spanish couple in the fight for the title in the mixed doubles modality and will make their debut against Mexican paddlers Marcos Madrid and Yadira Silva in the first round.
The 2021 Table Tennis World Cup, to be held in Houston (United States), will begin this Tuesday and end, after seven days of competition, on Monday, November 29.