India’s women’s table tennis team has made a dramatic entry into the Paris 2024 Olympics, achieving a historic milestone by advancing to the quarterfinals with a stunning 3-2 victory over higher-ranked Romania. This thrilling win marks a significant moment for Indian table tennis on the Olympic stage.
The match, held on Monday, showcased India’s determination and skill. The tie began with Sreeja Akula and Archana Kamath securing a decisive 11-9, 12-10, 11-7 win in the doubles match against Romania’s Adina Diaconu and Elizabeta Samara. This strong start set the tone for the team, and Manika Batra followed with a commanding 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 victory over the higher-seeded Bernadette Szocs, giving India a promising 2-0 lead.
However, Romania fought back fiercely. Sreeja Akula fell to European champion Samara in a close 2-3 match after initially winning the first game. The momentum swung as Archana Kamath faced Szocs in the next singles match. Despite Archana’s resilient effort, Szocs won the final two games, tying the overall score at 2-2 and setting up a dramatic decider.
In the crucial final match, India’s women’s team showcased their resolve as Manika Batra stepped up once again to secure the decisive win and seal India’s place in the quarterfinals.
This historic win reflects the team’s strength and resilience and sets up an exciting quarterfinal clash against either the USA or Germany. The draw also includes strong contenders such as Japan, Poland, France, and Thailand.
The victory not only highlights the impressive performance of the Indian team but also builds on the recent success of Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula, who made history by reaching the round of 16 in the Single’s event. India’s advancement to the quarterfinals marks a new chapter in their Olympic journey and promises a bright future for Indian table tennis.
In addition to this, the Indian men’s team has also made history by qualifying for the Olympics for the first time. They will kick off their campaign against top-seeded China on Tuesday at 10:00 (GMT+2).
