UTT Season 7: Kolkata ThunderBlades edge U Mumba in thriller as both teams seal semis berths
Panaji, July 21
HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades snapped U Mumba TT's winning streak with a thrilling 8-7 victory in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7 at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Taleigao near Panaji on Tuesday.
Despite the defeat, U Mumba also secured a place in the semifinals, with their superior game count and favourable permutations ensuring qualification alongside Kolkata and league leaders Dempo Goa Challengers.
Youngster Taneesha Kotecha shone for Kolkata by handing Anna Hursey her first defeat of the campaign, while Zeng Jian held her nerve in the deciding game of the final match to clinch the tie. The result confirmed both teams' progression to the knockout stage ahead of the final two league fixtures, leaving only one spot vacant.
Staged under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), the UTT Season 7 features 42 players from around the world, including 14 Olympians, while continuing to strengthen the Indian table tennis ecosystem through elite competition and year-round development initiatives.
Kolkata struck first through Eduard Ionescu, who recovered from a game down to defeat Manush Shah, before Taneesha delivered one of the upsets of the season with a commanding straight-games victory over the previously unbeaten Hursey. U Mumba fought back in the mixed doubles as Manush and Hursey recovered from an early deficit to defeat Ankur Bhattacharjee and Taneesha in three games, keeping the defending champions firmly in the contest.
Frenchman Lilian Bardet then edged Ankur in another hard-fought three-game encounter to bring U Mumba within touching distance before Nithyashree Mani levelled the tie at 7-7 with a composed win over Jian in the opening two games. With everything resting on the final game, Jian responded emphatically, sealing an 11-5 victory to hand Kolkata the tie while ensuring both sides progressed to the semifinals.
Taneesha was named the Indian Player of the Tie, while Bardet claimed both the MatchIQ Player and Foreign Player of the Tie awards. Ankur earned the Bisleri Shot of the Tie honour.
Final score:
Kolkata Thunder Blades 8-7 U Mumba TT
Eduard Ionescu bt Manush Shah 2-1 (9-11, 11-8, 11-7)
Taneesha Kotecha bt. Anna Hursey 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-4)
Ankur Bhattacharjee/Taneesha Kotecha lost to Manush Shah/Anna Hursey 1-2 (11-8, 4-11, 7-11)
Ankur Bhattacharjee lost to Lilian Bardet 1-2 (9-11, 8-11, 11-6)
Zeng Jian lost to Nithyashree Mani 1-2 (10-11, 5-11, 11-5)
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great to see both teams through to the semis! The drama in the final game was intense. Zeng Jian really held her nerve under pressure. UTT keeps getting better each season.
Honestly, U Mumba should have closed it out earlier. Nithyashree gave them a lifeline but Zeng Jian proved too strong in the decider. Still, a valiant effort from both sides. The level of competition this season is fantastic.
Taneesha Kotecha is the real MVP of this match! 3-0 against Hursey is incredible. So proud of our Indian girls stepping up on the big stage. UTT is doing wonders for Indian table tennis. 🇮🇳❤️
Close contest throughout! Ionescu's comeback win set the tone for Kolkata. And Bardet was impressive for U Mumba too. The semis should be a cracker with Dempo Goa looking strong.
One minor criticism: the scheduling feels a bit rushed with back-to-back matches. But the quality of table tennis is top-notch. Great to see so many Olympians participating and helping our players improve. Well done TTFI! 👍
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