In a thrilling semifinal clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, Dabang Delhi TTC secured a dramatic 8-6 victory over Ahmedabad SG Pipers to advance to the Ultimate Table Tennis 2024 final. The win was fueled by a standout performance from Thai paddler Orawan Paranang, who delivered a clean sweep against the top-ranked player, Bernadette Szocs. Paranang’s victory was particularly impressive, considering she was ranked 26 slots below Szocs in the world rankings.
The Dabang management recognized Paranang’s strengths and strategically placed her against Szocs, understanding her ability to dominate in medium rallies. Paranang demonstrated a strong forehand game, achieving a 47% success rate compared to Szocs’ 46%, and she expertly utilized her strawberry flick to seal the match in style.
Meanwhile, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, a local favorite and Dabang’s captain, faced a tough challenge against Lilian Bardet. While Sathiyan fell short of securing his first win against Bardet across all tournaments, his performance captivated the crowd and showcased his resilience. He employed strategic forehand attacks and clever tactics, displaying his strong game awareness.
The mixed doubles match saw Szocs and Manush Shah, who remained undefeated in the league stage, take an early lead. Despite Szocs’ earlier defeat in the singles match, she returned to form, showcasing powerful tomahawk shots.
However, Dabang’s Andreas Levenko fought back to secure a crucial victory over Manush, shifting the momentum in favor of Dabang. This victory paved the way for Diya Chitale to secure the final point against Reeth Rishya, guaranteeing Dabang’s place in the final.
Dabang’s victory marks their third appearance in the UTT final, with a chance to become the first team to win the title twice. The team will face the defending champions, Athlead Goa Challengers, in the grand finale on Saturday.
