Paris Olympics 2024: Manika Batra Becomes First Indian Table Tennis Player To Reach Pre-Quarterfinals

Paris: Manika Batra etched her title in documents books after she used to be the first Indian desk tennis player to achieve the pre-quarterfinals of any singles experience on the Olympics. The 29-year-ancient breezed previous France’s world no.18 Prithika Pavade, dominating from initiate to entire to win eleven-9, eleven-6, eleven-9, eleven-7 to be constructive her a Circular of Sixteen location. She shall be powerfuble to either face Hong Kong’s Zhu Chengzhu or Jap Miu Hirano inside the subsequent round.

It turned out to be thought of one of many quintessential memorable fits for an Indian desk tennis player in Olympics documents. Manika had reached the round of 32 on the Tokyo Olympics and she bettered that typical performance on Monday. “I am glad that I beat a French player in Paris. I defeated a superior-ranked player. I did no longer problem in constructing documents and making the pre-quarters, there are increased rounds, I will take it healthy by strategy of healthy and presents my best as I always do,” Manika told PTI after her healthy.

Manika’s ploy to attack Prithika’s backhand proved very necessary on the alternative hand that used to be no longer the intellect set she had devised in the past than the healthy. “I had planned to play to her forehand as discussed with my tutor on the alternative hand I used to be getting the factors on her backhand, so I did no longer alternate the structures. I did play some shot on her forehand too, I did no longer go for her to feel that I am taking part in best on her backhand.

“It used to be a not basic healthy. Staying comfortable helps me every and each on and off the court docket. I do respiratory exercise session routines that lend a hand me inside the direction of the healthy.I will present my best whoever I play in opposition to inside the subsequent round,” she referred to. Prithika’s mothers and fathers are initially from Puducherry on the alternative hand the domestic shifted to France in 2003. She used to be born in a Paris suburb a year later.

The 19-year-ancient Prithika had competed inside the Tokyo Olympics, making a predominant-round exit on the alternative hand has elevated substantially simply to that end of the yes bet then as she is for the time being ranked 18th inside the realm as in opposition to Twenty eighth rank of Manika. Left-surpassed Prithika came into the Olympics on the lower again of a best run the condition she made the WTT final for the first time in her career in June on the alternative hand may would prefer to no longer find a intellect set to cross previous Manika, who dished out a commanding .

The first recreation used to be an exceptional affair with every and each players going neck and neck. At eight-eight, Manika introduced on a backhand error from her young rival and closed the recreation with a ferocious forehand stress that Prithika may would prefer to no longer return. Manika carried the momentum inside the 2nd recreation, taking a three-1 lead.

Prithika fought lower again to degree the ratings, inducing mistakes from the Indian. On the alternative hand, Manika’s attack on Prithika’s backhand bought her factors perpetually. Very hastily, she used to be best 9-6. Consecutive backhand mistakes from Prithika surpassed Manika the 2nd recreation.

There used to be no stopping the seasoned Indian, who bought a healthful three-Zero cushion in recreation three as Prithika struggled with her returns. A desperate Prithika went all out and bought her first problem with a thumping forehand winner. With a 5-1 lead in hand, Manika saved attacking the backhand facet of the French player, making it eight-four.

Trailing 5-10, Prithika made it a contest by strategy of taking four factors in a row on the alternative hand Manika wanted only one increased to shut the recreation. The dwelling favourite netted a backhand stress to concede the recreation and a three-Zero lead to the Indian. A ferocious forehand gave Manika a ten-5 lead inside the fourth recreation and 5 healthy factors. She converted the third when Prithika netted her backhand to win the healthy in 37 minutes.

With PTI Inputs