Liquid has become the first team to advance to the Elimination Stage of the Perfect World Shanghai Major after a 2-1 victory over FlyQuest. The series saw Liquid triumph on Anubis (13-9) and Nuke (13-1), bouncing back after a rough start with a decisive 5-13 loss on Inferno.
As one of the pre-tournament favorites to achieve a 3-0 record in the Opening Stage, Liquid lived up to expectations, albeit not without challenges. Their journey to this point included a recovery from a 3-9 deficit against Cloud9 and struggles in their best-of-one match against Wildcard.
The series began on Inferno, where Liquid faltered significantly. Their passive approach on the T side contrasted sharply with FlyQuest’s aggressive and proactive defense. The Australian squad capitalized on Liquid’s cautious decision-making, delivering a dominant performance to take the first map convincingly.
Liquid regained their footing on Anubis, showcasing a solid defensive performance. Justin “jks” Savage led the charge with exceptional play, helping the team secure a lead on the map’s less favored side. Although their offensive half showed some vulnerability, a pistol-round win on T side gave Liquid the breathing room needed to close out the map.
Nuke marked a complete turnaround for Liquid. FlyQuest struggled to make progress on their T side, repeatedly falling to Liquid’s impenetrable defense. Roland “ultimate” Tomkowiak and Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis dominated throughout, leaving FlyQuest unable to find their rhythm.
Despite the loss, FlyQuest still has two chances to qualify for the Elimination Stage. Their strong showing on Inferno and competitive play on Anubis demonstrated their capabilities, with only a few key moments making the difference. If they can put the disappointment of Nuke behind them, the Australian squad remains a serious contender.
