ITTF World TT Team C'ships: Ayhika Mukherjee, Sreeja Akula Stun World No 1 And 2

The Indian women’s team will look to make the most of their lost opportunity when they take on Hungary on Sunday at 1.30 p.m. IST

Outlook Sports Desk

Updated on: 16 February 2024 12:16 pm

The Indian women's table tennis team. Photo: X/India_AllSports

The Indian women's table tennis team went down 2-3 to China despite stunning individual performances from Ayhika Mukherjee and Sreeja Akula in their opening group tie at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships in Busan, South Korea on Friday. (Streaming | More Table Tennis News)

Mukherjee and Akula defeated the world's top two players, Sun Yingsha and Wang Yidi, respectively, in their singles matches. But indifferent performance from top-ranked player Manika Batra proved detrimental to India's cause.

National Table Tennis Championships: Harmeet Desai Clinches Men's Singles Title Second Time, Poymantee Baisya Wins Women's Singles

Starting the proceedings for India, Ayhika, ranked 155, punched way above her weight to pull off a brilliant 12-10, 2-11, 13-11, 11-6 win against world number one Yingsha to give her team a 1-0 lead. Commonwealth Games medallist Sreeja then pulled off a dominating win over Yidi. She won 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 13-11).

Batra endured a disappointing day. She lost both her singles matches in straight games -- to world number four Wang Manyu (3-11, 8-11, 15-13, 7-11) and Yingsha (3-11 6-11 13-11 9-11).

Later, with the tie locked at 2-2, the 26-year-old Ayhika was unable to recreate the magic of her opening match and went down to Manyu (9-11, 11-13, 6-11) in straight games.

In their next Group 1 tie, India women will take on Hungary on Sunday, with the first match starting at 1.30 p.m. IST.