India’s women’s table tennis team, making its Olympic debut, created history on Monday at the Paris Olympics 2024 by securing a spot in the quarterfinals with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Romania. The match showcased the team’s grit and determination as they battled their way through a series of intense encounters.
Sreeja Akula and Archana Kamath initiated the proceedings with the doubles match, demonstrating their synergy by clinching a hard-fought win against Adina Diaconu and Elizabeta Samara, 11-9, 12-10, 11-7. Manika Batra, a seasoned campaigner, followed up with a dominant performance, securing a straight-game victory against Bernadette Szocs, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7, moving India one match closer to the quarterfinals.
However, the match took an unexpected turn as Sreeja Akula faced a tough challenge in the third match, losing 11-8, 4-11, 11-7, 6-11, 8-11 to Samara. This setback prolonged the tie, forcing the teams into a fourth game. In a closely contested match, Archana was unable to secure a victory, falling to Szocs 5-11, 11-8, 7-11, 9-11.
The pressure was on Manika Batra in the deciding match. Undeterred, she displayed remarkable resilience and composure, winning 11-5, 11-9, 11-9 against Diaconu to secure a historic victory for the Indian team. This win not only secured their spot in the quarterfinals but also solidified their position as a force to be reckoned with on the international table tennis stage.
India’s next challenge will be against the winner of the round of 16 match between the United States of America and Germany. The match is scheduled for Tuesday, and the Indian team will be aiming to carry the momentum from their quarterfinal victory into their next encounter. The team’s remarkable performance in Paris has already made history, and they will be looking to continue their winning streak in the tournament.
