By Kirti Patil
Pune: Polish Olympian Natalia Bajor countered Archana Kamath shot for shot with her relative calm demeanour to win the final match and the tie against home team Puneri Paltan TT as Bengaluru Smashers won to stay alive in the IndianOil Ultimate Table Tennis Season 4 at the Badminton Hall of Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Mahalunge-Balewadi here on Sunday.
The franchise-based league being promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani under the auspices of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) has been a game changer for the sport since its inception in 2017.
Puneri Paltan Table Tennis needed only a game to win to clinch the tie when Natalia came to the table for the last match (Women’s Singles), but Archana Kamath lost 0-3, despite playing some unbelievable shots that defied the laws of physics.
The first game saw a thrilling 11-8 win for Natalia. She played accurate backhands coupled with powerful forehands and then took the second game by the same scoreline. The Polish paddler kept her nerve in the decider and won it 11-9 with her pinpoint shots.
Earlier, Manika thumped Hana Matelova 2-1 in the second match of the tie to register her third women’s singles victory in season 4.
The World No. 35 showed immaculate control on her backends early on to win the first game 11-9 before Hana fought back brilliantly to clinch the second 11-8 and took the match into the decider.
However, India’s highest-ranked player kept her focus intact and pocketed the third game 11-6 as well as the match.
Earlier, in the opening match, World No. 58 Kirill Gerassimenko beat 2018 ITTF African-Cup champion Omar Assar 2-1 to give Bengaluru franchise a perfect start.
The World No. 23 Omar began the first game in aggressive mode and targeted the flanks to win it 11-8 before Kirill made an astonishing comeback to clinch the second game through a golden point. The third game also went to the golden point where the Kazak paddler showcased immense mental fortitude to take the game and match.
In the third match (Mixed Doubles) of the tie, Hana and Manush Shah beat Manika and Kirill 3-0 as they brought Puneri Paltan Table Tennis back into the contest.
The Bengaluru Smashers pair had a good start but Hana and Manush were quick to react and won the first game 11-9. They carried the momentum to clinch the second game through the golden point. The third game also went in the favour of Hana and Manush by 11-4.
Puneri Paltan Table Tennis further extended their lead as Manush defeated Jeet Chandra 2-1 in the penultimate match of the tie.
Finally, it was left to Natalia Bajor to collect the pieces for the Bengaluru team, which she did by beating Archana 3-0 (11-8, 11,11- 9).
The result:
Puneri Paltan TT lost to Bengaluru Smashers 7-8
Omar Assar lost to Kirill Gerassimenko1-2 (11-8, 10-11, 10-11)
Hana Manika Batra bt Matelova 2-1 (11- 9-11, 8-11-8, 611-6)
Manush Shah & Hana Matelova bt Kirill & Manika 3-0 (11-9, 11-10, 11-4)
Manush Shah bt Jeet Chandra 2-1(11-9, 11-9, 7-11).
Archana Kamath lost to Natalia Bajor 0-3 (8-11, 8-11, 9-11).
Omar Assar 1-2 Kirill Gerassimenko (11-8, 10-11, 10-11)
Hana Matelova 1-2 Manika Batra (9-11, 11-8, 6-11)
Manush/Hana 3-0 Kirill/Manika (11-9, 11-10, 11-4)
Manush Shah 2-1 Jeet Chandra (11-9, 11-9, 7-11)
Archana Kamath 0-3 Natalia Bajor (8-11, 8-11, 9-11)
Standings:
- Chennai Lions 35 points
- Goa Challengers 30
- U Mumba TT 24
- Puneri Paltan TT 28
- Bengaluru Smashers26.
- Dabang Delhi TTC 22.
