Indian Women’s Table Tennis Team Displays Grit Despite 2-3 Loss to China in World Championships
Witness the intense battle as the Indian Women’s Table Tennis Team puts up a valiant fight against China in the World Championships.
In a thrilling encounter during the preliminary round Group 1 of the World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals 2024, the Indian women’s team showcased resilience but ultimately succumbed 2-3 to China on Friday.
The competition format dictates that each tie in the World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals consists of a maximum of five singles matches, with the first team to secure three victories winning the tie.
Ayhika Mukherjee, a bronze medalist at the Asian Games, provided India with an explosive start by defeating World No.1 and Tokyo 2020 silver medalist Sun Yingsha 3-1 (12-10, 2-11, 13-11, 11-6) in the opening rubber.
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However, India’s top-ranked singles player, Manika Batra, faced a tough challenge and lost 1-3 (3-11, 8-11, 15-13, 7-11) to world No.4 Wang Manyu, leveling the score for China in the second match.
Sreeja Akula then reclaimed the lead for India in the third rubber by delivering a stellar performance, defeating World No.2 Wang Yidi 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 13-11).
Despite the spirited effort, the reigning Olympic champions, China, secured the final two matches to clinch the tie. Sun Yingsha steadied the ship with a hard-fought 3-1 (11-3, 11-6, 11-13, 11-9) win over Manika. With the scores leveled at 2-2, Wang Manyu closed out the match by defeating Ayhika 3-0 (11-9, 13-11, 11-6).
The Indian women’s team, undeterred, looks forward to their next match against Hungary on Sunday.
–IANS