Chennai
Harmeet Desai made a strong comeback after an early loss, teaming up with Yangzi Liu to secure victory for the Athlead Goa Challengers against the Jaipur Patriots in the opening match of the Ultimate Table Tennis 2024 at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium.
The Goa Challengers who won the toss, served first in the Men’s Singles. Captain Harmeet Desai took the first point with a commanding 11-2 win in the opening game. However, Cho Seungmin of the Jaipur Patriots responded by winning the second game 11-1. Cho’s dominance continued in the deciding game, securing a 2-1 victory. In the Women’s Singles, Liu turned the tide for Goa Challengers, defeating Suthasini Sawettabut 3-0 to put her team ahead.
The Mixed Doubles saw Harmeet and Liu, playing together for the first time, display excellent teamwork. They won the first game 11-1 and, despite a strong comeback from Suthasini and Ronit Bhanja, clinched the match in the deciding game.
In the fourth match, Mihai Bobocica of Athlead Goa Challengers, making his debut at 37, overcame Ronit Bhanja 2-1, extending Goa’s lead. The fifth match, featuring Yashaswini Ghorpade and Nithyashree Mani, included the first Golden Point of the season, with Mani emerging victorious 2-1.
The Ahmedabad SG Pipers will kick off their UTT 2024 campaign tomorrow against Puneri Paltan Table Tennis, followed by PBG Bengaluru Smashers facing the Chennai Lions.
