The International 2023 is proving to be a battleground of surprises, as top-seeded teams face unexpected defeats in the group stage. Only one team managed to avoid a loss on the opening day, while others struggled to maintain their dominance.
Gaimin Gladiators, the reigning champions of the 2023 DPC season, suffered a crushing 0-2 defeat against LGD Gaming in their first match. Despite bouncing back with a sweep against Virtus.pro, they had a mixed performance, finishing the day with a 3-3 record.
Team Liquid also faced a setback in their TI opener, splitting their series against Azure Ray. The highlight of the day was fy’s outstanding performance, setting a TI record with eight kills in under nine minutes. However, Liquid managed to recover and ended the day with a 5-1 record.
Tundra had a strong start, securing back-to-back sweeps against TSM and Talon. However, Keyd Stars proved to be a formidable opponent, staging a remarkable comeback victory and handing Tundra their first loss of the day.
On the other hand, Team Spirit remained undefeated, securing a perfect 6-0 record and securing a spot in the TI12 playoffs. LGD also had a flawless day, going 4-0 in their matches.
Heading into day two, Team SMG and Thunder Awaken are on the brink of elimination, needing to avoid another loss to stay in the tournament. EG and Shopify Rebellion are also not yet safe, as Talon and VP have a chance to secure their positions with at least one series win.
In response to several bugs affecting the group stage, Valve released an emergency patch for the Dota client. These bugs included Somnus getting stuck while playing Earth Spirit and issues with the viewing experience through Dota TV.
Source: DOTESPORTS
