Ayhika Mukherjee, an Asian Games medalist, achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first player to defeat Sofia Polcanova in a Season 7 match of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT). This victory contributed to HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades securing their second win of the campaign with a 9-6 triumph over Ahmedabad APL Pipers at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Taleigao near Panaji. Kolkata’s success was further highlighted by a strong performance that propelled them closer to playoff contention.
The turning point in the match came during the middle games when Ankur Bhattacharjee and Ayhika secured a dominant mixed doubles victory. Following this, Eduard Ionescu clinched a straight-games win over Payas Jain, setting the stage for Ayhika to finish the job in style. The event, organized under the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and supported by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani, features 42 players from across the globe, including 14 Olympians, aiming to enhance the Indian table tennis ecosystem through elite competition and developmental initiatives.
Despite Ahmedabad initially taking the lead with Adrien Rassenfosse and Manika Batra securing wins, Kolkata rallied back strongly. The mixed doubles pairing of Ankur and Ayhika, along with Ionescu’s impressive performance, helped Kolkata level the tie. In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Ayhika overcame Polcanova, who had been unbeaten until then, securing the victory for the Thunder Blades with a memorable comeback.
Acknowledging the standout performances, Ionescu was named the ChatGPT Match IQ Player and Foreign Player of the Tie, while Ayhika received the Indian Player of the Tie honors. Manika was recognized for the Bisleri Shot of the Tie. Additionally, the UTT Juniors competition saw Dabang Delhi TTC securing a semifinal spot by defeating PBG Pune Jaguars.
In the upcoming matches, Dabang Delhi TTC will face Dempo Goa Challengers, setting the stage for an exciting clash between former champions. The final scores of the recent match were in favor of HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades, who emerged victorious with a 9-6 scoreline against Ahmedabad APL Pipers.
