The Indian women's table tennis team displayed resilience and determination in their final group tie against Spain at the 2024 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Busan, South Korea. Trailing 0-2, the team rallied back to secure a 3-2 victory and advance to the knockout stage as the second-best team in Group 1.
Ayhika Mukherjee, who had previously delivered a momentum-shifting win against Hungary, once again stepped up for India. Facing Elvira Rad in the crucial third rubber, Ayhika displayed her fighting spirit and emerged victorious with a 3-2 (11-8, 11-13, 11-8, 9-11, 11-4) scoreline.
Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula then completed the comeback for India. Manika defeated Maria Xiao 3-0 (11-9, 11-2, 11-4), while Sreeja overcame Sofia-Xuan Zhang 3-1 (11-6, 11-13, 11-6, 11-3).
The Indian men's team also secured a spot in the knockout stage, albeit with a less convincing performance. They defeated New Zealand 3-0 in their final Group 3 tie, finishing third with two wins and two losses.
The Indian teams' quest for a team quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics, awarded to the quarter-finalists, continues on Wednesday. The women's team faces Italy in the Round of 32, followed by a potential clash with fourth-ranked Chinese Taipei in the Round of 16. The men's team will take on Kazakhstan for a place in the Round of 16, where they could face hosts Korea.
Ayhika Mukherjee's consistent performances have been a key factor in India's success at the tournament. Despite being ranked 153 in singles, she has delivered crucial wins against higher-ranked opponents, including world No. 1 Sun Yingha.
The Indian women's team's comeback against Spain showcased their mental strength and ability to perform under pressure. Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula also played their part in the victory, contributing important wins in the deciding rubbers.
The Indian men's team, on the other hand, will need to improve their overall performance if they want to make a deep run in the tournament. They face a tough challenge against Kazakhstan in the Round of 16, followed by a potential clash with Korea, who defeated them 3-0 in the group stage.
Tags: #TableTennis, #WorldTeamChampionships, #IndianWomen, #Comeback, #AyhikaMukherjee
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