Dota 2 ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 – Day 3: Thrilling Upsets & Strategic Brilliance Unfolds

On Day 3 of Dota 2 ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023, there were intense matches and surprising upsets. Blacklist International, Wawitas Sagazes, LGD Gaming, and 9Pandas were eliminated. Azure Ray and Gaimin Gladiators topped Groups A and B, respectively.

The group stage ended with four teams eliminated. Azure Ray sent Team Falcons to the Lower Bracket after a thrilling Bo3 series. Azure Ray had earlier dominated Gaimin Gladiators, earning them a spot in the Upper Bracket against Team Falcons.

In the first match, Azure Ray’s Xinq on Earthshaker outshone Falcons, especially with Skiter’s struggles against strength-based heroes. However, Falcons, led by Skiter’s Spectre, turned the tables in the second game. In the decisive third game, Azure Ray showcased tactical brilliance, securing victory and advancing to face Gaimin Gladiators in the Upper Bracket Final.

A tiebreaker between Team Secret and Gaimin Gladiators, featuring a 1v1 Shadow Fiend duel between MidOne and Quinn, ended with GG winning. Quinn’s superior strategy and build led GG to the Upper Bracket.

In the Upper Bracket Semifinals, Gaimin Gladiators faced G2.iG. GG dominated the first game but lost the second. However, they secured a decisive victory in the third game, advancing to the Upper Bracket Final.

Team Liquid faced LGD Gaming in their final group stage Bo2 matchup. In the first game, Micke’s Luna outfarmed Shiro’s Chaos Knight, leading to a win for Liquid. The second game was a prolonged battle, with LGD eventually winning a crucial teamfight and advancing to the Lower Bracket Round 1. This surprising turn left Team Liquid in a challenging position in the tournament.