The Riyadh Masters 2025 Dota 2 tournament has officially commenced its group stage, launching a significant battle within the prestigious Esports World Cup framework. The opening day often serves as an initial barometer, hinting at teams` current form and strategic adaptations after their preparation phase.
According to insights shared by veteran commentator Rustam “Adekvat” Mavlyutov, however, the performance of one particular team stood in stark contrast to the rest on this inaugural day. Adekvat offered a pointed assessment, stating that among all competitors who played, “only Liquid truly showed championship play.” He provided unambiguous praise for their draft strategies and in-game execution, declaring “0 questions” about their performance. His concluding rhetorical query – “Is the tournament favorite so obvious?” – subtly suggests that Team Liquid might be positioning themselves as a clear, albeit early, frontrunner in the competition.
The broader results from the first day presented a more diverse picture across the four competing groups. Groups A and B proved to be arenas of intense parity, with every single series contested concluding in a draw. This outcome highlights a closely matched field or perhaps a cautious approach from teams in their initial encounters, preventing decisive 2-0 victories. Conversely, Groups C and D witnessed teams securing full points. Aurora Gaming and Tundra Esports successfully claimed victories in Group C, while Team Liquid (reinforcing Adekvat`s observation) and PARIVISION emerged victorious in Group D.
This major tournament, taking place from July 8th to 19th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, boasts a substantial $3 million prize pool, with the ultimate champion set to receive one million dollars. As a key event within the larger Esports World Cup, performance at the Riyadh Masters contributes significantly not only to prize earnings but also to the overall EWC standings.
While a prominent voice in the scene has identified a potential frontrunner based on an exceptionally strong Day One showing, the prevalence of draws across half the groups indicates that the path to the $1 million grand prize is likely far from “obvious” for most participants. The opening day delivered a compelling mix of dominant performances and stubborn stalemates, setting the stage for an intriguing and highly competitive group stage ahead.
Finley Holt