Sixteen-year-old Syndrela Das caused a major upset in Ultimate Table Tennis by defeating World No. 52 Manika Batra in straight games. This victory helped Dempo Goa Challengers secure an 8-7 win against Ahmedabad APL Pipers at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium. Goa’s triumph marked their second consecutive win in Season 7, with Das playing a crucial role in the team’s success.
French Olympian Prithika Pavade showcased a dominant performance for PBG Pune Jaguars in a 9-6 victory over UP Prometheans. Pavade’s standout moment came when she overcame two-time UTT MVP Yangzi Liu in the deciding Women’s Singles match. Her remarkable comeback from a game down to secure the win added to the excitement of the season.
The match between Ahmedabad APL Pipers and Dempo Goa Challengers featured several one-sided encounters, with four out of five matches ending in 3-0 victories. Goa’s Alvaro Robles set the tone with a convincing win over Adrien Rassenfosse, paving the way for Syndrela Das’s exceptional performance against Manika Batra. Das’s composed display earned her team a commanding 6-0 lead after the initial matches.
Despite Ahmedabad’s efforts, Goa maintained their lead, with Payas Jain and Sofia Polcanova winning the mixed doubles. The closing match between Polcanova and Bernadette Szocs was a high-quality affair, with Szocs emerging victorious. Syndrela Das received accolades for her outstanding performance, including the Match IQ Player of the Tie and Indian Player of the Tie awards.
In another match, UP Prometheans started strong with Ricardo Walther’s win over Omar Assar, but PBG Pune Jaguars fought back to claim a 9-6 victory. Prithika Pavade’s remarkable comeback against Yangzi Liu was a highlight of the match, earning her the title of Foreign Player of the Tie. Snehit SFR’s contributions also played a significant role in Pune’s success, with Omar Assar’s impressive shot being recognized with the Bisleri Shot of the Tie honor.
The day’s UTT Juniors competition witnessed Dabang Delhi TTC defeating Ahmedabad APL Pipers 6-3, while U Mumba TT continued their winning streak with a 5-4 triumph over HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades.
