by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

In a competition involving only players from the host nation, Amrutha Pushpak, who on the opening day of play had beaten Sreeja Akula (11-9, 11-7, 11-4, 11-4), claimed top spot by overcoming Selena Selvakumar (11-9, 6-11, 11-7, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9) to end the event unbeaten.

However, for Sutirtha Mukherjee life was much different; in her concluding group stage contest, she was beaten by Krittwika Roy. She experienced defeat in a full distance seven games duel (11-6, 12-10, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7).

Pertinently, one day earlier, Sutirtha Mukherjee had beaten Madhurika Patkar in five games (11-9, 13-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-4); one match earlier Madhurika Patkar having accounted for Krittwika Roy by a similar margin (9-11, 11-1, 11-7, 11-8, 11-8).

Thus games ratio determined the outcome; the end result was first place for Sutirtha Mukherjee (7:5), with Madhurika Patkar in second spot (5:4) followed by Krittwika Roy (5:7).

Perhaps a measure of disappointment for Sutirtha Mukherjee having suffered defeat in her concluding group phase contest but there was no need for alarm. All players in the Women’s Singles qualification tournament advance to the main event, the final position in the group determining their place in the main draw.

Meanwhile, in the remaining groups Mousumi Paul beat Harsha Vardhini Calange (11-5, 11-9, 11-9, 11-5) to secure second place behind Achana Girish Kamath; similarly, Moumita Dutta concluded matters in runners up spot.

She accounted for Priyadarshini Das (11-4, 6-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6) to finish next in line to Priyanka Pareek.