by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Against expectations, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran gave Dabang Smashers a dream start in their contest against DHFL Maharashtra United on Saturday 22nd July; he beat Wong Chun Ting (11-3, 11-9, 3-11), at no.8 on the current Men’s World Rankings, the highest rated player on duty in India.
Marcos Freitas and Kim Song I duly followed the example set by Sathiyan Gnanasekaran; Marcos Freitas accounted for both Harmeet Desai (11-6, 8-11, 11-10) and João Monteiro (8-11, 11-10, 11-8), whilst in a similar vein, Kim Song I overcame Pooja Sahasrabudhe (11-2, 11-5, 9-11) and Liu Jia (11-6, 9-11, 11-10).
A 16-11 defeat was the end result for DHFL Maharashtra United it was the same two days later on Monday 24th July when facing Shazé Challengers.
They experienced a 15-12 reverse with the one bright light being Liu Jia. She partnered Harmeet Desai to doubles success against Soumyajit Ghosh and Petrissa Solja (11-5, 11-2, 7-11), prior to recording a three-nil success against Petrissa Solja (11-5, 11-5, 11-10). Wins from Andrej Gacina against Harmeet Desai (11-6, 11-9, 11-5) and João Monteiro (11-6, 11-9, 7-11); allied with success for Han Ying in opposition to Pooja Sahasrabude (11-3, 11-7, 11-5) and Fu Yu (11-7, 11-5, 8-11) paved the way for a Shazé Challengers win.
Two fixtures for DHFL Maharashtra United was as a result of the outfit not been required to compete in the third series of fixtures. Conversely, Falcons TTC, who fulfilled two fixtures in round three, did not enter the arena in round four.
Wins for Dabanag Smashers and Shazé Challengers, in the one remaining fourth round contest on Sunday 23rd July, it was success for Oilmax-Stag Yoddhas against RP-SG Mavericks; a 16-11 victory being the margin of success.
It was the contest in which Manika Batra played a major role in the Oilmax-Stag Yoddhas win. She partnered Quadri Aruna to doubles success against Sharath Kamal Achanta and Sofia Polcanova (11-10, 8-11, 11-8), prior to recording a notable win by beating Sabine Winter (11-10, 9-11, 11-6).
Two wins from Manika Batra, it was the same from Doo Hoi Kem and Quadri Aruna. Doo Hoi Kem beat both Archana Girish Kamath (11-9, 11-3, 11-6) and Sofia Polcanova (11-9, 11-7, 11-5); in addition to the doubles win, Quadri Aruna overcame Stefan Fegerl (11-8, 11-10, 11-5). Meanwhile for RP-SG Mavericks, Tiago Apolonia accounted for both Jubin Kumar (11-5, 11-6, 11-9) and Tomislav Pucar (11-5, 11-3, 6-11).
One more fixture remains in New Delhi, when Oilmax-Stag Yoddhas meet Dabang Smashers on Tuesday 25th July; following that contest, proceedings move to Mumbai.
Ultimate Table Tennis: Complete Results – First Series
Ultimate Table Tennis: Complete Results – Second Series
Ultimate Table Tennis: Complete Results – Third Series
Ultimate Table Tennis: Complete Results – Fourth Series
Ultimate Table Tennis: Latest Updates as on Tuesday 25th July
Format of Play
A fixture in Ultimate Table Tennis comprises nine matches, each match is three games; all three games are played. Each game is played to 11 points but should the score reach 10-10, the winner of the next point is declared the victor.
Each game won counts one point. Thus in each fixture there are 27 points at stake.
Overall eight players comprise a team, two men and two women from foreign associations; two men and two women from India. A fixture comprises four Men’s Singles matches, four Women’s Singles and one Mixed Doubles contest.
In each of the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles matches, two contests involve foreign players confronting each other; two involve a foreign player facing an Indian opponent. No player may compete in two matches in any one fixture.
Following the conclusion of the fixtures on Thursday 27th July in Mumbai, the top four teams will enter the play-off stage, also held in Mumbai, to determine the name of the champions.
The semi-finals will be played on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th July with the final on Sunday 30th July.
Ultimate Table Tennis: The Teams (as on Saturday 15th July)
Ultimate Table Tennis: The Fixtures (Commence on Thursday 13th July)
Ultimate Table Tennis: Competition Format (as on Saturday 8th July)