In a dramatic showdown at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Indian table tennis star Manika Batra delivered an exceptional performance to guide the women’s team to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Romania, securing their place in the quarter-finals.
The competition began with a promising start for India as Archana Kamath and Sreeja Akula teamed up to face Romania’s Adina Diaconu and Elizabeta Samara. The Indian pair displayed impressive synergy, clinching the first match in straight sets with scores of 11-9, 12-10, and 11-7, putting India ahead 1-0.
Next up, Manika Batra, India’s ace player, faced Romania’s Bernadette Szocs. Batra’s dominance was clear as she won convincingly with scores of 11-5, 11-7, 11-7, extending India’s lead to 2-0 and bolstering the team’s position.
However, the tie took a dramatic turn as Sreeja Akula engaged in a grueling battle against Elizabeta Samara. Despite Akula’s valiant effort, she narrowly lost the five-game thriller with scores of 8-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-6, and 11-8, allowing Romania to narrow India’s lead to 2-1.
Romania’s momentum continued with Bernadette Szocs defeating Archana Kamath in a closely contested match, with scores of 11-5, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9. This result leveled the scores at 2-2, setting the stage for a decisive final match.
In the crucial fifth match, Manika Batra rose to the occasion, overcoming Adina Diaconu with scores of 11-5, 11-9, 11-9. Batra’s exceptional performance under pressure sealed the tie for India, securing their place in the quarter-finals.
India will now face either the USA or Germany in the women’s team table tennis quarter-finals. The team’s resilience and skill throughout the tie showcased their potential for further success in the tournament, highlighting their determination and ability to perform under pressure.
