India’s table tennis sensation Manika Batra, showcased her talent at the Saudi Smash tournament, revitalizing her confidence ahead of the Paris Olympics. Despite her journey ending in the quarterfinals with a defeat to world no.5 Hina Hayata, her stellar performance provides a much-needed boost, especially after a slow start to the year and missing out on the mixed team quota for Paris. Additionally, this remarkable showing is expected to propel her to a new career-high ranking of 24.
Manika Batra’s stellar performance in Saudi Smash tournament
Saudi Smash tournament marked a significant milestone in Batra’s career, highlighted by her monumental victory over world no.2 Wang Manyu. This triumph holds special significance as it ended her five-match losing streak against Wang, with Batra staging a remarkable comeback after losing the first game. She displayed exceptional skills with down-the-line pushes and wide blocks, clinching the match in a thrilling fourth game.
Another notable upset came in the round of 16, where Batra defeated Nina Mittelham of Germany, marking her first victory over the world no.14. Demonstrating a commanding presence on the table, Batra dominated the match, conceding only 22 points to Mittelham in a straight-game affair.
While Batra fell short of a medal in the tournament, her defensive prowess and quick twiddling skills were on full display. Furthermore, according to The Bridge, her exceptional performance has secured her entry into the world’s top 25 ranked players, making her the first Indian female player to achieve this milestone. With a projected world ranking of no.24, Batra is poised to receive a favourable seed at the Paris Olympics, potentially securing a spot among the top 16 seeds.
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Indian women with brilliant performances in 2024
This achievement serves as an additional motivation for Batra, who recently reclaimed her position as India’s top-ranked female player. Her resurgence, coupled with the consistent performances of players like Sreeja Akula and Ayhika Mukherjee, reflects the remarkable strides made by Indian paddlers in 2024.
Notably, Indian players made headlines earlier in the year during the ITTF World Team Championship, where they challenged the formidable Chinese team and secured historic wins. Ayhika Mukherjee upset world no.1 Sun Yingsha, while Sreeja Akula defeated Wang Yidi, contributing to India’s first-ever Olympic quota in team events.
With Batra’s renewed form and momentum, alongside the consistency of her compatriots, Indian table tennis players are poised to make a significant impact at the Paris Olympics, aiming to achieve unprecedented success on the global stage.
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