Olympian Alvaro Robles led Dempo Goa Challengers to victory, securing a spot in the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 final by defeating Dabang Delhi TTC 8-2 in Panaji. Robles excelled in men’s singles and mixed doubles, contributing to Goa’s unbeaten streak and their advancement towards the championship title.
Goa capitalized on a strong start, taking an early lead and ultimately clinching the win in the fourth match. Despite a brief setback when Maria Xiao won against Bernadette Szocs, Robles and Syndrela Das’ partnership brought Goa to the brink of victory before Abhinandh PB sealed the deal with a win over Delhi captain Sathiyan Gnanasekaran.
Organized by the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), UTT Season 7 showcases 42 players worldwide, including 14 Olympians, aiming to enhance the Indian table tennis scene through high-level competition and development programs.
Robles set the tone for Goa by defeating Youssef Abdelaziz in straight sets, propelling his team to a 3-0 lead early on. Despite Delhi’s comeback efforts led by Xiao, Goa regained control as Robles and Das outplayed Gnanasekaran and Xiao, positioning the hosts for a final berth.
In a tense finale, Abhinandh PB displayed composure against Delhi’s Sathiyan, securing the victory for Goa. With an unbeaten league stage record, Dempo Goa Challengers are on the cusp of a historic campaign, one win away from a remarkable season.
Robles was honored as the Match IQ Player and Foreign Player of the Tie, with Syndrela earning the Indian Player of the Tie award, and Xiao receiving the Shot of the Tie accolade.
