Thakkar stars for Challengers
Young paddler Manav Thakkar stunned world no. 18 Sweden’s Kristian Karlsson 2- 1, inspiring Empowerji Challengers to a 15- 6 victory over Maharashtra United in Ultimate Table Tennis action here on Thursday.
The 18- year- old rattled his Swedish rival, ranked 223 places above him, with an attacking display to win 11- 9, 811, 11- 8. He had earlier helped Challengers assert their dominance by clinching the mixed doubles with Hungarian Georgina Pota.
They downed Anthony Amalraj and Elizabeta Samara in straight games 117, 11- 6, 11- 10 to surge ahead as the scores after the first two matches were tied 3- 3. Tiago Apolonia, Lee Ho Ching and Pota swelled the tally with impressive victories. The big win helped Challengers rise to the third spot ( 30 points), pushing Maharashtra to fourth ( 26 points).
Dabang Smashers lead the standings with 39 points while RP- SG Mavericks are second with 37 points.
Maharashtra were hampered by an injury to their top foreign player, world no. 19 Samara, who twisted her ankle in the mixed doubles.
She returned to play after receiving treatment but the injury affected the Romanian’s movement. The 29- year- old lost to world no. 20 Hong Kong’s Lee Ho Ching 11- 3, 11- 9, 11- 6.
Lily Zhang’s 6- 11, 11- 10, 11- 10 victory over Divya Deshpande was the only success for Maharashtra, who lost six of the seven matches in the tie.
The decision to field Karlsson in two singles did not bear fruit as he lost to world no. 40 Tiago Apolonia 11- 9, 8- 11, 11- 9 and Thakkar.
Pota completed the Challengers’ domination with a 11- 7, 11- 7, 9- 11 win over Madhurika Patkar.