Manika Batra, India’s top table tennis player, made a significant impact at the Saudi Smash 2024. Her journey, however, came to an end in the quarter-finals, where she faced Hina Hayata, the world number 5 from Japan.
Manika Batra’s inspriting performance at Saudi Smash 2024
Batra’s performance at the tournament was nothing short of historic. She started her campaign with a 3-0 (11-6, 13-11, 11-8) win over Andreea Dragoman of Spain. In the round of 32, she stunned the top Chinese player and Olympic medallist, World No. 2, Wang Manyu, winning the match 6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 12-10 in 38 minutes.
In the next round, Batra continued her dream run by beating World No. 14 Nina Mittelham 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-7) to book her spot in the quarterfinals. This victory was particularly noteworthy as it was Batra’s first-ever win over Mittelham in four meetings.
The quarter-final match against Hayata was a challenging one. Batra lost the game 4-1 (11-7, 6-11, 4-11,11-13, 2-11) in a match that lasted for 39 minutes. Despite the loss, Batra’s performance at the tournament was commendable. She showcased her skills and determination, proving that she can compete with the best in the world.
MANIKA BATRA IS A HISTORY MAKER🚨
She becomes the 1st female Indian Table Tennis star to breach the Top 25 World Rankings after a superb Saudi Smash campaign!🇮🇳💙#TableTennis #SKIndianSports pic.twitter.com/6aWOjZpsue
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) May 9, 2024
Batra’s successful run in Jeddah is expected to help her regain her status as the top-ranked Indian female in the ITTF World Rankings. This tournament has undoubtedly been a significant milestone in her career, and it will be exciting to see how she builds on this experience in future competitions.
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