Asian Games: Indian men and women march into pre-quarters with easy wins in preliminary groups
T
he Indian men's and women's teams continued their unbeaten run in the preliminary round matches in their respective groups in the Asian Games table tennis competitions here, marching into the pre-quarterfinals with an unbeaten record.
The Indian men defeated Tajikistan 3-0 in their preliminary Group F match while the women blanked neighbours Nepal by the same margin at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Gymnasium on Saturday.
Despite giving a chance to younger players, the Indians won all three ties in straight games.
Manav Thakkar set the ball rolling by blanking Afzalkhon Mahmudov 11-8, 11-5, 11-8 in double quick time while Manush Shah quelled a bit of a fight by Ubaydullo Sijltonov 13-11, 11-7, 11-5 in just 14 minutes to make it 2-0 for India.
Harmeet Desai sealed the victory for India with an 11-1, 11-3, 11-5 victory.
The women's team too had it easy despite resting top star Manika Batra. Diya Chitale defeated Sikka Shrestha 11-1, 11-6, 11-8 while Ayhika Mukherjee overcame Nabita Shrestha 11-3, 11-7, 11-2. In the third match, Sutirtha Mukherjee defeated Evana Magar Thapa 11-1, 11-5, 11-2 to seal the match for India.
The India men will next play Kazakhstan in the pre-quarterfinals on Sunday while the women face Thailand in another Round of 16 match on Sunday.
✔️ Asian Games: Indian men and women march into pre-quarters with easy wins in preliminary groups
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