The PBG Bengaluru Smashers emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against the Ahmedabad SG Pipers in the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) 2024 season, securing a 9-6 win at the Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. The Smashers faced a daunting task, needing to win five out of the remaining six games after trailing 3-6.
Alvaro Robles rose to the occasion, delivering a dominant performance against Manush Shah in the men’s singles. The Spaniard displayed remarkable control and finesse, keeping his opponent on the back foot throughout the three games. After losing the first game 8-11, Manush Shah attempted to claw back but was unable to match Robles’ consistency, ultimately succumbing to an 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 defeat.
In the women’s singles, Manika Batra faced a familiar adversary in Bernadette Szocs, a rematch of their Paris Olympics Round of 16 clash. Batra had triumphed in their previous meeting, but Szocs turned the tables this time, claiming a 2-1 victory. Szocs’ tactical adjustments, targeting Batra’s bodyline and executing deceptive half-long serves, proved effective.
The mixed doubles also saw Szocs and Manush Shah emerge triumphant, securing a 2-1 victory over Manika Batra and Alvaro Robles.
The evening witnessed a tightly contested men’s singles match between Lilian Bardet and Amalraj Antony. Bardet, ranked 97th in the world, started as the favorite against Amalraj, who is ranked 493rd. While Bardet won the first game, Amalraj displayed resilience, forcing two golden points off consecutive games, ultimately securing a 2-1 win for Bardet.
In another encounter, the Chennai Lions faced a setback against the defending champions, the Goa Challengers, in a rematch of last season’s final. The Lions’ loss jeopardized their playoff hopes as they now have only 25 points from four games and will need at least 10 points in their next match to stay in contention.
Sharath Kamal, playing for the Lions, showcased his prowess against Mihai Bobocica in the men’s singles. Despite losing the third game, Sharath secured a 2-1 victory, giving the Lions an early advantage. However, the Lions’ fortunes turned in the mixed doubles, where Sharath Kamal and Sakura Mori suffered a 0-3 defeat against Maria Xiao and Manav Thakkar.
The Challengers, led by Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade, who won their respective singles matches, ultimately clinched a 9-6 victory.
The UTT 2024 season continues to provide thrilling action and close encounters, with the top teams vying for the title.
