Team Australia players boast a wealth of experience in doubles play, a potential game-changer under the innovative format of the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup. Guided by the seasoned 6-time Olympian Jian Fang Lay, the team, comprising Michelle Bromley, Danni-Elle Townsend, Xavier Dixon, Dillon Chambers, and Yonghun Lee, brings forth a myriad of possible player combinations and strategic maneuvers.
Prepare for electrifying action as each team clash unfolds with singles and doubles matches. Individual matches within a team encounter consist of three games, culminating in a 3-0 or 2-1 score until one team accumulates eight games for victory.
In each team match, the action begins with Mixed Doubles, followed by Women’s Singles and Men’s Singles. The strategic finale, if necessary, showcases Men’s and Women’s Doubles, with the order determined by the team captain of the lower-ranked team—infusing strategy and suspense into every encounter.
For each team match, the order of play kicks off with Mixed Doubles, followed by Women’s Singles, and Men’s Singles. Players who played mixed doubles cannot play the Singles matches. If needed, the strategic finale features Men’s and Women’s Doubles, played in an order determined beforehand by the team captain of the lower-ranked team—injecting strategy and suspense into every encounter.
Prepare for electrifying action as each encounter between two teams unfolds with singles and doubles matches. Individual matches within a team encounter consist of three games, resulting in a 3-0 or 2-1 score, until one team accumulates eight games for victory.
Top-ranked players Jian Fang Lay and Xavier Dixon, both seasoned in doubles play with various partners, face a pivotal decision. Will they join forces in doubles aiming for an early advantage? Or, will they be strategically dispersed into singles matches, where their individual prowess could shine in pursuit of securing up to six games?
TEAM AUSTRALIA (#17 seed)
Jian Fang LAY (World No.92)
Australia’s record-breaking Olympian, Jian Fang Lay, a six-time Olympian from Sydney 2000 to Tokyo 2020, continues to defy age norms. As a legendary penholder in table tennis, the 50-year-old Lay adds another chapter to her story.
Michelle BROMLEY(World No.100)
Inspired by her father, a skilled table tennis player who succumbed to cancer in 2012, Michelle Bromley realized her dream of representing Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Bromley, a Women’s singles competitor, also teamed up with Jian Fang Lay and Melissa Tapper in the Women’s team event.
Danni-Elle TOWNSEND (World No.613)
The youngest player at 20, Danni-Elle Townsend, dominated the U21 girls’ events at the 2018 ITTF-Oceania Championships, securing four gold medals and impressing with her prowess.
Xavier DIXON (World No.80)
The highest-ranked player in Team Australia at 24, Xavier Dixon claimed the U21 Men’s Singles title in the 2019 National Championships. A proficient singles and doubles player, Dixon is a key asset.
Dillon CHAMBERS (World No.162)
Dillon Chambers, who started playing table tennis as a toddler, bagged bronze in the U21 men’s singles at the 2018 Australian National Senior and Junior Championships.
Yonghun LEE (World No.257)
At 22, Lee, ranked 118th in men’s doubles with Xavier Dixon, showcased prowess in the 2023 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals in Durban, advancing to the Round of 32 by defeating Guyana pairs with a 3-0 score.
Team Australia’s strategic maneuvers are poised to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
*Rankings according to latest on 21/11/2023
