Indian table tennis star Manika Batra’s impressive run at the Saudi Smash 2024 came to an end in the quarter-finals after a hard-fought battle against the higher-ranked Hina Hayata of Japan.
Saudi Smash: Hina Hayata ends Manika Batra run
Manika Batra, currently ranked 39th in the world, had been on a roll throughout the tournament, defeating players positioned significantly above her.
However, world number five Hayata proved too strong on the day, ultimately defeating Batra 4-1 (11-7, 6-11, 11-13, 2-11). Despite a strong start with a first-game win, Batra was unable to maintain momentum as Hayata found her rhythm and dominated the following games.
Manika Batra stellar performance
Despite the quarter-final defeat, Manika Batra’s performance at the Saudi Smash was nothing short of impressive. She began by upsetting world number two Wang Manyu of China in the second round, a victory she described as the “biggest achievement” of her career.
Her winning streak continued with a straight-sets triumph over world number 14 Nina Mittelham of Germany. This marked Batra’s first victory over Mittelham in four attempts.
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Ranking Boost and Bright Prospects
Manika Batra’s strong showing at the Saudi Smash is expected to translate into a significant rise in her world ranking. She is projected to break into the top 25 of the women’s singles rankings, a positive development for her future endeavors.
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