Liam Pitchford stormed through the competition at his first WTT Feeder event in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal to claim his second WTT singles title. The unusual scenario gives him back to back victories at Feeder events, over a year and a half apart. 

Pitchford took the crown at the WTT Feeder Manchester 2025 on home ground in the UK, before undergoing hip resurfacing surgery. After 10 months out of competition Pitch returned to compete in the WTT US Smash this year. 

The former World Number 12 has only competed in 3 WTT Feeder events, now having won 2 back to back and withdrawn with injury from the first. 

On this occasion, Pitchford - now ranked 236 in the world due to inactivity, had to begin his tournament campaign in the qualification stages. 

The race for the championship title saw a convergence of two of JOOLA's top men's singles players, with Pitchford navigating one side of the draw, while Deni Kožul powered through the other half. 

Pitchford won his 3 group stage matches, before winning 3-1 over Andrei Istrate of Romania in the qualification elimination round. This set him up with a tough opening match against 7th seed, and world number 95, Lilian Bardet of France. In an explosive 5 game back and forth, Pitchford prevailed. 

He then locked in a 3-0 win over Team JOOLA teammate Dimitrije Levajac from Serbia, with closely contested first and third games. 

In the quarterfinal he faced Luka Mladenovic, the tricky antispin player from Luxembourg. Another thrilling 5-game match ensued. 

A semifinal win (below) over Germany's Kay Stumper in 4 games, saw Pitch advance to the final.

The final awaited, and the journey for 4th seed Deni Kožul had been full of absolute battles.

Kožul recorded second place results in WTT Feeder Havirov in April and WTT Feeder Olomouc in August, and was full of hope and confidence to take the title in Portugal. 

Deni opened with a 3-0 win in the round of 32, though his next 3 wins to reach the final were right down to the wire. 3-2 wins over Alberto Lillo, Tiago Abiodun and Esteban Dorr put him into the final to have a third chance at claiming a win. 

The semifinal match with Dorr started with the Frenchman 2-0 in the lead, before Deni dug his heels in and won the next 3 games. A great display of mental fortitude from Deni to have gone three wins in a row, delivering under immense pressure in the 5th and deciding game each time.

Pitchford and Kožul final awaited.

On their last meeting at the European Championships, Kožul had defeated Pitchford in 4 straight games in a flawless performance reflective of Kožul's exceptional form in 2026. 

The final kicked off with momentum quickly shifting in the Slovenian's favor, as he took the first game. Pitchford's signature backhand came into play, combined with inside out forehands and tight play, while Kožul steadily applied pressure with sharp forehands and steady backhand in the counter rallies. 

The second game held the balance, Kožul taking points with surprise deep serves, and taking the initiative with the backhand flick receive to gain control of rallies. 

Pitchford showed his prowess in the longer rallies, winning a stunning exchange to claim the second game and level the score. The second game certainly could have gone either way, and a 2-0 lead would have given Kožul a significant advantage.

Into the 3rd the Englishman's confidence seemed to blossom and he went from strength to strength. Ultimately, after a thrilling final, he was able to claim the crown. 

For Deni Kožul, the performances are getting stronger and more consistent, with 3 Feeder finals in 2026, a title is no doubt waiting in the wings. On this occasion, Pitchford claimed a long awaited second WTT title, and a massive 103 place ranking jump to 133rd place. Deni climbs 4 places to 67th, cementing another notch on the ladder in an exceptional season of gains.

Congratulations to Liam and Deni for solid results to reach the final, and for their respective first and second place finishes!