The Ultimate Table Tennis League witnessed an exciting match between the debutant Ahmedabad SG Pipers and U Mumba TT, with the former emerging victorious with a scoreline of 9-6. This win propelled the Pipers to the top of the table with 24 points from three matches, showcasing their dominance in the league.
The match kicked off with U Mumba’s Manav Thakkar continuing his winning streak in singles by defeating Manush Shah in the opening rubber. Thakkar’s ability to neutralize Shah’s powerful forehand shots with his retrieving skills proved to be the difference as Shah succumbed to unforced errors, ultimately losing in three games.
One of the standout moments of the match came when Reeth Rishya faced off against Sutirtha Mukherjee. Rishya, who had previously struggled in her singles contests, turned the tables by securing her first singles win of the season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory. After losing the first game, Rishya staged a comeback by winning the second game 11-8 and matching Mukherjee shot for shot in the decider, ultimately leveling the score for the Pipers.
The mixed doubles match between Manush Shah and Bernadette Szocs against Manav Thakkar and Maria Xiao showcased the Pipers‘ dominance as Shah and Szocs proved too strong for their opponents, securing a comfortable victory.
As Lilian Bardet and Quadri Aruna took the stage for the next singles match, fans were treated to an exciting encounter between two players known for their attacking style. In a thrilling match that saw some intense rallies, it was Aruna who emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, redeeming himself after previous losses in the league.
The women’s singles clash between Szocs and Xiao was another highlight of the match, with Szocs, the highest-ranked player in the league at 13th in the world, showcasing her prowess by bouncing back from a first-game loss to clinch the next two games and secure a crucial win for the Pipers.
With a commanding 7-5 lead, Ahmedabad needed just one game in the fifth rubber to seal the victory, highlighting their dominance throughout the match. The comprehensive win against U Mumba solidified the Pipers‘ position at the top of the table and showcased their potential as strong contenders in the Ultimate Table Tennis League.