U Mumba punish Goa to march into semi-finals

U Mumba punish Goa to march into semi-finals

NEW DELHI: Red-hot U Mumba stormed into the semifinals of the Ultimate Table Tennis season three, dismantling formidable Goa Challengers 11-4 with a clinical all-round display here on Monday. 

The in-form Manav Thakkar and Doo Hoi Kem (World Number 11 women’s singles player) were the cornerstone of their massive win, picking up five and six points each respectively.

Doo and Manav won their respective opening singles matches to hand the team a distinctive 5-1 advantage just two matches into the tie. Doo edged out a fighting Archana Kamath 3-0, while Manav got the better of Amalraj Anthony 2-1 as U Mumba raced ahead 5-1.

Manav and Doo then combined in the crucial mixed doubles and rolled over the Goa pair of Alvaro Robles and Archana 3-0 to seal the tie in U Mumba’s favour (8-1).

U Mumba thus ended their league round matches on 44 points from five matches, making them clear favourites for the knockout stage.

Goa Challengers, on the other hand, were placed third on 30 points and still have a match in hand.

In the opening women’s singles, Doo Hoi Kem defeated Archana 3-0 in an extremely-tight contest. Although separated by 128 rankings points with Hoi Kem currently placed at world number 11, it seemed a battle of equals on the table.

Archana, who has been in top form this season, tested Hoi Kem at every step as the two indulged in long rallies and speedy play. 

If Hong Kong’s Hoi Kem was quick on her feet and sharp in all her returns, Archana was equally strong in her defensive play and forced Hoi Kem to make many errors. 

Doo Hoi Kem wrapped up the opening game 11-8, and then won the second on golden point 11-0. In the final game, that also went neck-and-neck, Hoi Kem prevailed 11-8.

Manav Thakkar then added to U Mumba’s advantage edging out Anthony Amalraj 2-1 in a topsy-turvy battle in the opening men’s singles.

Manav raced ahead in the first game opening up a 5-1 lead and stayed ahead throughout to wrap it up 11-7. Later world number 137 Amalraj though changed gears in the ensuing game and was dominant. 

His sharp angles and strong forehand display pushed Manav on the back foot, as Amalraj won the second game 11-5.

RESULTS
U Mumba TT bt Goa Challengers: 11-4
Women’s Singles: Doo Hoi Kem bt Archana Kamath 3-0 (11-8, 11-10, 11-8 )
Men’s Singles: Manav Thakkar bt Amalraj Anthony  2-1 (11-7, 5-11, 11-9 )
Mixed Doubles: Manav Thakkar and Doo Hoi Kem bt  Alvaro Robles and Archana Kamath 3-0 (11-7, 11-10, 11-8 )
Men’s Singles: Kirill Gerassimenko lost to Alvaro Robles 1-2 (11-10, 7-11, 7-11 )
Women’s Single: Sutirtha Mukherjee bt  Cheng-I-Ching 2-1 (11-6, 11-9, 6-11 ).

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