WTT Contender: It was a good day in business for paddler G Sathiyan as he paired up with Manika Batra and Harmeet Desai to power India into two semifinals, mixed doubles and men’s doubles, of WTT Contender at Tunisia on Thursday. The 28-year-old looked in good touch on both occasions.
The Mixed doubles pair of Manika Batra and G Sathiyan proved too much for the French pair Alexandre Cassin and Prithika Pavade as they defeated them 3-2 to make it to the last four stage.
WTT Contender: G Sathiyan pairs up with Manika Batra, Harmeet Desai to power India into semis
Before aiding Manika, Sathiyan played alongside Harmeet Desai earlier in the day and defeated the Hungarian pair — Patrik Juhasz and Bence Majoros — 3-1 (12-10, 11-7, 10-12, 11-6) to enter the men’s doubles semifinals. Sathiyan and Harmeet had come into the pre-quarterfinals after defeating the German pair of Tobias Hippler and Kilian Ort 3-2 (15-13, 6-11, 11-9, 5-11, 12-10).
Coming to the mixed doubles quarterfinals, Sathiyan and Manika Batra started things on a high as they took the opening game 11-8. However, the French pair bounced back by winning the second game 11-7.
WTT Contender: G Sathiyan pairs up with Manika Batra, Harmeet Desai to power India into semis
The French pair of Cassin and Prithika continued the dominance and won the third game 11-8 and took a lead of 2-1. However, the Indian duo made a thrilling comeback and won two consecutive games to seal the deal. Mainka and Sathiiyan won the fourth game 11-4 and the decider by 11-8.
