The Chennai Lions roared back to life in the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league, securing a hard-fought 8-7 victory over Dabang Delhi TTC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on Sunday. The win marked a resounding comeback after their opening-tie loss, showcasing the team’s resilience and determination.
The match saw a stellar performance from veteran Indian table tennis star Sharath Kamal, who set the tone for the tie with a dominant 2-1 win over Andreas Levenko in the first men’s singles match. Kamal unleashed a barrage of powerful smashes, leaving his opponent struggling to keep up.
Chennai’s momentum continued as Sakura Mori, in the first women’s singles match, defeated Orawan Paranang 2-1, extending their lead. Mori displayed remarkable composure, maintaining control despite her opponent’s repeated attempts to claw back into the match.
The momentum shifted further in Chennai’s favor as the mixed doubles pairing of Sharath and Mori triumphed over Sathiyan and Paranang 2-1. The Lions then sealed the tie with Jules Rolland securing a 2-1 victory over local boy Sathiyan in the second men’s singles match.
Despite the Lions’ triumph, Diyale Chitale provided a glimmer of hope for Delhi, securing a decisive 3-0 win in the final match of the tie, earning valuable points for her team.
Meanwhile, in the other tie of the day, the Jaipur Patriots dominated U Mumba TT, securing a comfortable 9-6 victory. Nithyashree Mani of Chennai was a standout performer, claiming a win against higher-ranked Sutirtha Mukherjee in the women’s singles match.
This exciting round of matches in the UTT league showcased thrilling table tennis action and the incredible talent of the participating players. As the season progresses, the competition is sure to intensify, with each team vying for the championship title.
